Large scones may contain third of daily calories, Food Standards Agency warns

'This common snack can contain a greater number of calories than consumers may think'

One large scone could contain up to a third of your recommended daily calories, a new report has found.

A sample of scones sold in coffee shops and cafes across Northern Ireland were examined by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and local councils; they found that some scones contain as much as 750 calories, which is the equivalent to 10 sugar cubes.

The scone with the highest fat content (22.7g) was a raspberry and white chocolate-flavoured scone while the largest portion size was a fruit scone, which contained roughly 750 calories and 39.2g sugar.

The report also found that the average scone out of those tested contained 20g sugar, which is the same as about five sugar cubes.

Fionnuala Close, senior dietary health advisor at the FSA in Northern Ireland, explained how the report is part of a wider campaign to tackle rising levels of obesity by raising awareness of foods that are more calorific than one might think.

“Currently, 64 per cent of adults and 27 per cent of children aged 2-15 years old in Northern Ireland are classified as overweight or obese,” she said, adding that many people’s diets contain too much sugar and saturated fat and not enough fruits and vegetables.

“As scones tend to be a regular favourite for many across Northern Ireland, we felt it was important to raise awareness that this common snack can contain a greater number of calories than consumers may think.

“The availability of choice, in terms of ingredients and scone size, is an important consideration for consumers and producers alike.”

Close added that the FSA is working with industry insiders to reform recipes and promote smaller portion sizes for foods high in sugar, salt and fat.

“We would encourage consumers to be aware of their recommended daily calorie intake and consider food and drink choices which help them achieve a balanced, healthy diet,” she continued.

“To eat well, foods which are high in fat, salt and sugar should be eaten less often and in small amounts.”