Health · Fitness & Nutrition · 8 hrs ago
Study finds wide variation in sugar levels across UK breakfast spreads
Researchers analysed 834 spreads sold in UK supermarkets, including jams, honey, syrups, chocolate spreads and nut butters.
The study found that sugar levels varied widely across everyday spreads and were not high only in a few brands.
Morrisons' The Best Pure Canadian Maple Syrup had the highest amount, at 87.6g per 100g.
The Skinny Food Co.'s zero-calorie golden and maple syrups each had no sugar, while a JimJams vegan chocolate spread had 0.6g per 100g.
Chocolate spreads were often high in sugar and saturated fat: 86% were high in sugar and 91% in saturated fat.
M&S Whipped Chocolate Spread had the most sugar among those products, at 61g per 100g.
The analysis compares the sugar content of products, but gives no further steps or policy changes.
A study of 834 spreads sold in UK supermarkets found wide variation in their sugar levels.
Morrisons The Best Pure Canadian Maple Syrup had the highest level listed, at 87.6g of sugar per 100g.
The Skinny Food Co. Zero Calorie Golden Syrup and Maple Syrup had 0g of sugar per 100g.
Chocolate spreads were among the highest-sugar categories, with 86 per cent classified as high in sugars.
M&S Whipped Chocolate Spread contained 61g of sugar per 100g, the highest level reported among chocolate spreads.
- Who
- Experts from Action on Salt & Sugar conducted the analysis, including researcher Dr Jizhao Niu.
- What
- A study measured sugar levels in 834 spreads sold in UK supermarkets.
- When
- The article was published on 8 November 2026. The study date is not stated.
- Where
- UK supermarkets.
- Why
- To assess sugar levels across breakfast spreads. The sources do not state a further reason.
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- Spreads analysed
- 834
- Highest sugar level listed
- Morrisons The Best Pure Canadian Maple Syrup: 87.6g per 100g
- Lowest sugar level listed
- The Skinny Food Co. Zero Calorie Golden Syrup and Maple Syrup: 0g per 100g
- Chocolate spreads high in sugars
- 86 per cent
- Highest sugar level among chocolate spreads
- M&S Whipped Chocolate Spread: 61g per 100g
What people are saying
What stood out most from our analysis was just how widespread high sugar levels were across everyday spreads.