NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Some milkshake types sold in restaurants and fast food chains for children contain "unacceptable" amounts of sugar and calories, a recent study shows.
The study, conducted by sugar organizations and its effects on health in Britain, found that some types of milkshakes, such as "chickpeas", contain at least the equivalent of 39 teaspoons of sugar, more than 6 times the recommended daily amount of sugar For a child between the ages of 7 and 10 years.
She noted that this amount of sugar (39 spoon) in some types of milk Chic contains more than half the daily limit of calories for adults, according to some British media.
Action on Sugar, which published the findings as part of the Sugar Awareness Week, called for a ban on all types of skimmed milk that exceeds 300 calories per meal.
She also urged governments to oblige restaurants to include information, data and food labels on all menus.
According to the study, "Unicorn Ferchek" (a mix of skimmed milk topped with layers of desserts) came from the top of the menu, with one serving containing 1280 calories or 39 teaspoons of sugar.
Milk and chocolate flakes and milkshakes came from the five guys fast food restaurant in the second and third places, the first containing 37 teaspoons of sugar, the other containing 30 spoonfuls, which is equivalent to eating more than 4 cans of Coca-Cola, The Independent newspaper reported.
"This information is not disclosed to the consumer who will fight to know it," said Kawthar Hashim, an independent researcher at ActionOnGuard.
"The time has come for the government to introduce legislation to force companies to be more transparent about their products by offering clear food information on the Internet and in the shops, at all times."
"Eating and drinking these high-calorie drinks on a daily basis will lead to obesity and tooth decay in children," said Graham McGregher, professor of cardiovascular medicine at Queen Mary University in London and head of Action On Sugar. The Guardian reported.
"The milk can contain large amounts of sugar, and the consumption of too much sugar contributes to the obesity of children, as well as tooth decay," said Allison Tedston, nutritionist at the English Public Health Service.
For her part, Policy Director of the World Cancer Research Fund Louise Minky said that consumers should be helped to make positive decisions "because eating too much sugar can lead to weight gain and obesity, increasing the risk of developing 12 different types of cancer."
