New study shows consumers purchase less sugar from carbonated soft drinks
30 Nov 2007 | Renee Criddle
EMBARGOED TILL MIDNIGHT SATURDAY 1 DECEMBER
Research released today from the University of Wollongong, has found new evidence that Australians have changed their purchasing habits for beverages – they are moving away from sugar sweetened soft drinks and instead, buying more diet soft drinks and water.
According to the Director of the National Centre of Excellence in Functional Foods at the University of Wollongong, Professor Linda Tapsell, the current study shows how Australian beverage purchasing habits have changed over a relatively short period of time.
Prior to the findings released today, the last research into Australian beverage consumption trends was the 1995 National Nutrition Survey, more than a decade ago.
”It is important from a public health perspective to understand that Australian diets are likely to be constantly changing. The lack of regular up-to-date information from National Dietary Surveys is a problem, but purchasing pattern data can be useful. This information has added value in the level of detail it provides on different types of products,” said Professor Tapsell.
The study found that:
Since 2002 Australians have decreased their purchase of sugar from carbonated soft drinks by 12,402 tonnes. This equates to 330 million cans of sugar sweetened soft drinks.
Overall, Australians are purchasing more water-based beverages, with total sales increasing 13% between 1997 and 2006. This growth is largely due to increases in the sales of diet drinks and water. In total, sales of sugar sweetened carbonated soft drink decreased by 118 million litres between 2002 and 2006.
There was an increase in sales of new functional, sugar sweetened beverages such as sports, energy drinks and iced teas from 2002-2006, but the decline in sugar contribution from soft drinks was three times greater than the increase in sugar contribution from functional beverages.
The independent research, funded by the Australian Beverages Council1, was carried out at the National Centre of Excellence in Functional Foods at the University of Wollongong. It examined AC Nielson grocery scan data from 1997 to 2006.
“Our study is a very good example of how analyses of industry data can assist health professionals with information that may be of use in public health initiatives,” Professor Tapsell said.
The research has been published in the latest issue of the Journal of Nutrition & Dietetics.
NOTES:
This research is based on sales data for those aged 14 years and over and examines water-based, non alcoholic beverages, excluding fruit juice, cordials, milk based, or syrup based drinks – future research could target these categories.
Other findings:
More households consume soft drinks but many more drinking occasions are being taken up by diet soft drink.
Young males aged 14-24 years are the most likely to purchase energy drinks and sports drink.
Lower income households purchased less sugar soft drinks than higher income households – a growing trend since 2004.
Females and younger people 14-24 years old were the major demographics making the switch from sugar sweetened soft drinks to diet drinks and water.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
Professor Linda Tapsell, (Director of the National Centre of Excellence in Functional Foods at the University of Wollongong) on (02) 4221 3152 or 0419 449 912 (m) or Karen Godding on (02) 9286 1260
kgodding@carlbyoir.com.au
The Australian Beverages Council Ltd is the peak industry voice representing the interests of manufacturers, distributors and importers of non-alcoholic beverages. The Australian Beverages Council represents a total of 42 manufacturers, distributors, importers and franchisors as well as 39 suppliers to the Industry. The range of beverages, produced by its members, include carbonated diet and regular soft drinks, sports and isotonic drinks, bottled and packaged waters, fruit juice drinks and cordials.
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