Seven soft drink manufacturers in Singapore have agreed to limit the levels of sugar in their beverages to <12% by 2020, according to Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH).

The companies involved  in the agreement include Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Nestle, F&N Foods, Malaysia Dairy Industries, Pokka, and Yeo Hiap Seng. Products currently above the sugar limit include Coca-Cola’s A&W sarsaparilla; Schweppes bitter lemon and Fanta Strawberry; PepsiCo's mug root beer and Mountain Dew; Pokka’s soursop juice drink and guava juice drink, as well as its partner brands that include Kickapoo, Sinalco, and Green Spot; and Yeo Hiap Seng’s tamarind juice drink.

MOH was quoted by Channel NewsAsia as saying: “These players make up 70% of the total pre-packaged sugar-sweetened beverages market in Singapore. This move could potentially reduce sugar consumption from these beverages by about 300,000kg per year.”

"This move could potentially reduce sugar consumption from these beverages by about 300,000kg per year."

The initiative was taken up by the MOH after the Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong urged people at the National Day rally to reduce the consumption of the sugary drinks, as it has the potential to increase the risk of diabetes.

Coca-Cola Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, and Cambodia general manager Tony Del Rosario was quoted by Channel NewsAsia as saying: “We’re offering more new drinks with low-sugar content or no sugar added. We’re making smaller, more convenient packages available so managing sugar is easier.

“We’re giving people the information they need to make truly informed choices.”