Report Finds More Sugar In Some Flavored Coffee Drinks Than In Soda

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – According to a new report, some flavored coffee drinks have more sugar in them than a can of soda.

The report by "Action on Sugar" says 98 percent of hot flavored drinks would receive a red (high) label for excessive levels of sugars per serving.

Some Starbucks drinks have 25 teaspoons of sugar, more than three times the maximum adult daily intake of free sugars, the report says.

The worst offender is Starbucks' Hot Mulled Fruit - Grape with Chai, Orange and Cinnamon – Venti drink, containing 25 teaspoons of sugar.

In the report, a Starbucks spokesperson said, "Earlier this year we committed to reduce added sugar in our indulgent drinks by 25 percent by the end of 2020. We also offer a wide variety of lighter options, sugar-free syrups and sugar-free natural sweetener and we display all nutritional information in-store and online."

"These results highlight the need for more transparency on sugar content and compulsory labeling of sugar content. Drinkers deserve to know how much sugar they are consuming," says Nicola Close, Chief Executive of the Association of Directors of Public Health.