Children’s yoghurts can contain nearly 4 teaspoons of sugar, new research finds

New research finds sugar levels vary widely in children’s yoghurts, with campaigners calling for clearer action on reformulation.

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Published: September 22, 2026 at 3:13 PM

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Yoghurt is often seen as an easy, healthy snack, especially compared to crisps, chocolate, and sweets - but new research suggests parents may want to take a closer look at the labels on products marketed specifically to children.

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Action on Salt & Sugar, based at Queen Mary University of London, analysed 104 children’s yoghurts and found that just two were low in total sugars, equivalent to one in 40 products surveyed.

Sugar levels varied considerably, from 4.7g to 14.1g per 100g. The research also found that average total sugars have fallen since 2021, although campaigners say progress has been inconsistent.

Which children’s yoghurts contained the most sugar?

Nestlé Smarties Vanilla Split Pot had the highest total sugar content in the survey, at 14.1g per 100g. A single serving contained 15.1g of total sugars, equivalent to nearly four teaspoons of sugar.

At the other end of the scale, The Collective Great Dairy Natural + Vitamin D and Yoplait Petits Filous No Added Sugar Strawberry & Banana each contained 4.7g per 100g.

Among companies with more than two products included in the 2026 survey, Nestlé had the highest average total sugar content at 10.7g per 100g, followed by Lidl at 9.4g and Aldi at 9g. Sainsbury’s had the lowest average at 6.2g per 100g, followed by Yeo Valley at 6.8g.

How much sugar is in children’s yoghurt?

The researchers found that the average total sugar content across the products surveyed had fallen from 9.2g per 100g in 2021 to 8.2g per 100g in 2026, an 11% reduction.

Some individual products saw much larger reductions. Lidl’s Milbona Squeezy Strawberry Pouches, for example, fell from 14.1g to 8g of total sugars per 100g over the same period, a reduction of around 43%.

The Collective, from Yeo Valley, also recorded a 32% reduction in average total sugars across its range since 2021.

However, Action on Salt & Sugar says only two of the 104 products surveyed were low in total sugars, arguing that voluntary action has not delivered consistent reductions across the market.

Why are campaigners concerned about children’s yoghurt packaging?

All of the products included in the survey featured child-appealing packaging, including bright colours, cartoons, fun text, characters or other features designed to attract children.

There are restrictions on some forms of advertising for foods high in fat, salt and sugar, but the researchers point out that equivalent restrictions do not currently apply to child-appealing packaging.

Dr Kawther Hashem, Head of Research & Impact at Action on Salt & Sugar, based at Queen Mary University of London, said parents could reasonably expect products specifically marketed to children to be among the healthier options available.

Parents could reasonably expect products covered in cartoons and specifically marketed to children to be among the healthier options available, but our findings show that is often not the case.

Dr Kawther Hashem, Head of Research & Impact at Action on Salt & Sugar, Queen Mary University of London

She also highlighted that yoghurt can provide nutrients including calcium and vitamin D, but said parents should not have to choose between nutritious foods and avoiding excessive sugar in products marketed at children.

What do campaigners want to change?

Action on Salt & Sugar is calling for mandatory reformulation policies, backed by transparent reporting and enforcement. It also wants child-appealing packaging to be reserved for healthier products.

Kate Howard, Children’s Food Campaign Coordinator at Sustain, said food companies should direct their innovation towards making healthier food an easy and affordable choice for families.

Yoghurt can be a nutritious, affordable food, but parents should not have to study the small print to identify products genuinely suitable for children. Bright packaging and cartoon characters should encourage healthier choices, not give less healthy products a misleading halo.

Kate Howard, Children’s Food Campaign Coordinator at Sustain

The findings do not mean yoghurt needs to disappear from the family fridge. But they do highlight how widely sugar levels can vary between products, even when those products are all marketed towards children.

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For parents comparing options, checking the nutrition information on the label can help reveal how much total sugar a particular yoghurt contains, rather than relying on child-friendly branding alone.

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