Distribution of Sugar Content in Chinese Pre-Packaged Foods

Background:Sugar intake from pre-packaged foods has increased continuously in China and is strongly associated with a range of adverse health outcomes. However, comprehensive data on the sugar content of the pre-packaged food supply in China remains limited.Objective:This study aimed to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the sugar content of Chinese pre-packaged foods. Samples were collected across 29 provincial-level administrative regions by the National Institute for Nutrition and Health (NINH, China CDC) from 2017 to 2024. Additionally, sugar content was compared with international data sourced from the national food composition databases of the United States, France, and Australia.Methods:A total of 743 Chinese pre-packaged food samples and 2852 international samples were included in the analysis. Descriptive statistics, including the median, interquartile range (IQR), and range, are used to describe the distribution of sugar across different food categories.Results:Within the snack food category, high sugar levels were identified in confectionery (46.6 g/100 g) and preserved fruits (44.2 g/100 g), followed by biscuits (37.0 g/100 g), Western pastries (26.7 g/100 g), and Chinese pastries (25.9 g/100 g); conversely, red meat, poultry, and seafood exhibited the lowest sugar concentrations, ranging from 0.6 to 1.0 g/100 g. Dairy products and solid beverages exhibited median sugar levels of 4.9 g/100 g and 15.1 g/100 g, respectively. Furthermore, 61.6% of the snack foods analyzed in this study were classified as high insugar according to the UK traffic light system.Conclusion:Certain categories of pre-packaged foods in China contain relatively high levels of sugar. Raising public awareness and promoting reduced consumption of such products are warranted, alongside further monitoring and reformulation efforts.