The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a reduced intake of free sugars throughout life for both adults and children in their new guideline, which is due to be published. Following a consultation that ended in March 2014, the guideline Sugars intake for adults and children recommends that both adults and children reduce their intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake.

Free sugars include monosaccharides and disaccharides added to foods and beverages by the manufacturer, cook or consumer, and sugars naturally present in honey, syrups, fruit juices and fruit juice concentrates.

The recommendations are based on evidence reviewed regarding the relationship between free sugars intake and body weight and dental caries. Increasing or decreasing dietary sugars is associated with parallel changes in body weight; the excess body weight associated with free sugars intake results from excess energy intake. The recommendation to limit free sugars intake to less than 10% of total energy intake is based on evidence from observational studies of dental caries.

The WHO also suggests a further reduction of the intake of free sugars to below 5% of total energy intake, in recognition that the negative health effects of dental caries are cumulative from childhood to adulthood - therefore even a small reduction in the risk of dental caries in childhood will be of significance in later life.

On the subject of fluoride, the guideline states that although exposure reduces dental caries at a given age and delays the onset of cavities, it does not completely prevent dental caries.

A publication date for Guideline: Sugars intake for adults and children has not yet been announced.