Governments should consider trying to halve public consumption of sugars, according to global guidelines published yesterday.
According to the World Health Organisation guideline, sugar should make up no more than 10% of human energy intake daily.
But, if possible, governments should seek to cut sugar use to 5% of daily calories, it says.
The guidelines apply to fructose found in fruit and fruit juice as well as table sugar.
Officials say that Britain already sets a 10% target for sugar consumption – but children on average consume 15% of their calories in sugar and adults 11.6%.
Earlier this week chief medical officer Dame Sally Davies suggested a "sugar tax" to help cut consumption.
Alison Tedstone, director of nutrition at Public Health England, said it would "carefully consider the suggestion that a further reduction of sugar to below 5% of total energy intake per day would have additional benefits."
She said: "Consuming too many sugary foods and drinks can cause tooth decay. In addition, consuming too many calories including those from sugar can lead to being overweight or obese which can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers."
WHO said it was consulting on its proposed guidelines this month.
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