- Reduction in sugar intake by ten percent
In Germany, it's evident that folks keep a watchful eye on the sugar content in their daily meals. New findings unveil that theoretically, the sugar consumption has diminished once more. This decrease is observed in the average sugar intake per individual, which has dropped from 33.9 to 30.4 kilograms in the 2023/24 fiscal year, as reported by the Federal Information Centre for Agriculture (BZL). This signifies a 10% decrease compared to the previous 12-month period.
Nevertheless, Barbara Kaiser, head of the Federal Centre for Nutrition, cautions that these figures alone do not provide absolute proof of reduced sugar consumption. She underscores that the data pertains to domestically produced sugar and merely offers a theoretical per capita consumption estimation.
Despite her reservations, the Max Rubner Institute's current data reveals a notable reduction in the sugar content of certain crucial processed foods, such as breakfast cereals and yogurt preparations.
The BZL's announced figure encompasses sugar utilized for culinary purposes. This includes sugar in spreads, fruit juices, pastry, and ice cream, along with sugar quantities used to preserve canned goods and not ultimately consumed, like cucumber water. However, it excludes naturally occurring sugar in fruits or honey. For the second consecutive year, the per capita consumption has decreased.
A recently published nutrition report by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture showcases that 85% of respondents support the reduction of sugar in processed foods. Furthermore, two-thirds of these respondents regularly pay heed to the sugar content while purchasing such foods, notably more than for fat or salt.
Despite adverse weather conditions, German sugar beet farmers defied all odds to yield 4.2 million tonnes of sugar in 2023/24, surpassing their previous-year output. The majority of the sugar used in Germany is employed in food consumption.
In contrast to Germany's decreasing sugar consumption, Bonn's annual sugar beet festival continues to celebrate the sweet traditions of the region, attracting thousands of visitors each year. Despite the decrease in per capita sugar consumption, Bonn remains a city known for its sweet pastries and confectioneries, showcasing a balance between health conscious consumption and cultural heritage.
