The Business Times
business-time-50
COMMENTARY

Sugar isn’t a harmless pleasure. It’s time to acknowledge this

google-preferred-sourceAdd BT as a preferred source
Joan Ng

Joan Ng

Published Fri, Dec 8, 2023 · 12:52 PM
    • Allowing lower-sugar drinks to be marked as a healthier choice creates a false sense of security and endangers consumers.
    • Allowing lower-sugar drinks to be marked as a healthier choice creates a false sense of security and endangers consumers. PHOTO: BT FILE

    THE milk I drink every morning has received a grade of “D” from Singapore’s Health Promotion Board (HPB), even though its only ingredient is milk.

    Its sugary, chocolate-flavoured counterpart is rated “B” – which means it gets to sport a “healthier choice” logo.

    This contradictory rating is not new, but is worth resurfacing in light of a World Health Organization (WHO) call this week for countries to increase taxes on sweetened beverages.

    Decoding Asia newsletter: your guide to navigating Asia in a new global order. Sign up here to get Decoding Asia newsletter. Delivered to your inbox. Free.

    HealthWHOsugarLife & Culture

    Copyright SPH Media. All rights reserved.

    Reuse this contentFeedback

    TRENDING NOW

    Altitude Xperience argued that the rooftop space in contention was not considered an unused space.

    Simba ordered to pay S$700,000 in damages to indoor skydiving operator Altitude Xperience for trespass

    Vincent Tan, founder of Berjaya Group, has reduced his holdings in multiple companies within the group.

    Malaysian tycoon Vincent Tan’s sell-downs point to pruning rather than an exit plan

    As Singapore’s stock market regulation shifts further towards a “buyer beware” approach, greater transparency on potentially material matters is essential to enabling sound decisions in the market.

    The bright side to the CSE Global clash

    “The board considered both internal and external candidates (for the role), in the context of the business’s future needs”, says StarHub chairman Olivier Lim.

    StarHub deputy CEO Matthew Williams to succeed Nikhil Eapen as chief executive

    Latest T-bills Treasury Bills Results & Interest NewsLatest SSB Singapore Savings Bonds NewsLatest COE Certificate of Entitlement News
    Latest Johor-Singapore SEZ NewsLatest BTO Build To Order & Sales of Balance NewsLatest STI Straits Times Index NewsLatest SGX Dividends, Share Price NewsLatest Bonds Market NewsLatest Singapore Stocks To Buy NewsLatest Singapore Economy News
    View More