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

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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.

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