Public Health England (PHE) has this week published an evidence review of a range of measures to reduce sugar consumption across the nation.

The review, Sugar reduction: the evidence for action, concludes that factors such as marketing, promotions, advertising and the amount of sugar in manufactured food is contributing to an increase in sugar consumption.

The evidence review suggests that measures could include a reduction in:

• The sugar content in, and portion size of, everyday food and drink products
• The marketing and advertising of high sugar products to children
• The volume and number of price promotions in retail and restaurants.

The review also suggests setting a clear definition of high sugar foods, as well as consideration of a price increase through a tax or a levy as a means of reducing sugar intake, though this is likely to be less effective than the three measures set out above, says PHE.

The food and drink industry has welcomed the publication of the evidence review, however associations have questioned the suggestion of a sugar tax, as international evidence fails to support the benefits of one – with such a move in Mexico, for example, resulting in an average reduction of just six calories from diets per day.

FDF director general Ian Wright says, "We welcome the publication of PHEs report since all policy making should be evidence based.

"The food and drink industry is determined to play its part in tackling childhood obesity. Steps are already in hand to ensure that high fat, salt and sugar foods will not be advertised to children. Likewise, the industry has already removed millions of calories from the food chain and will continue to make progress on this through reformulation and changes to portion/pack sizes.

"It may also be possible, by negotiation, to improve the definition of high sugar foods as the report suggests. However we do not agree that the international evidence supports the introduction of a sugar tax and for this reason would oppose such a move."

Gavin Partington, director general, British Soft Drinks Association, adds, "We welcome the publication of the PHE evidence and recognise industry has a role to play in tackling obesity.

"We support efforts to ensure high fat, salt and sugar drinks are not advertised to children and have led the way in reducing calories – down 7.5% across the soft drinks market since 2012. By contrast, the tax in Mexico has resulted in an average reduction of only six calories per day from diets, which seems unlikely to have a major impact on levels of obesity."

The government will use the PHE evidence review to inform its development of a childhood obesity strategy, due in the coming months.