Starbucks and Costa Coffee Sugar Content Exceeds WHO Daily Limits

Next time you reach for a comforting winter latte, you might want to check the sugar content first. A 2012 UK investigation revealed that some of the world’s most popular coffee drinks contain alarming amounts of sugar—more than the World Health Organization recommends for an entire day in just one cup.

The short answer? A large Costa Toffee Nut Latte packs 73.3g of sugar, while Starbucks’ Egg Nog Latte has 58.2g—both well over the WHO’s daily limit of 25g for women and 35g for men.

What the Study Found

According to the UK’s Daily Mail, the large Toffee Nut Latte from Costa Coffee (a global coffee chain) contains 73.3g of sugar—over three times the recommended daily intake for women. Starbucks’ large Egg Nog Latte followed closely behind with 58.2g of sugar, more than double the female limit. These figures come from a report that also tested common 500ml (large) servings of three popular instant coffees, finding all five beverages exceeded the WHO’s female sugar guideline.

How the Testing Worked

New York journalists replicated the sugar content findings by weighing out equivalent amounts of granulated sugar for visual comparison. For the large Costa Toffee Nut Latte, 73.3g of sugar was measured out, and for Starbucks’ Egg Nog Latte, 58.2g. In the case of instant coffees, researchers measured the carbohydrates listed on packaging and converted these to sugar equivalents using a 1:1 ratio. Specifically:

• 13g packet of Maxwell Chocolate flavored instant coffee contained 9g carbs → 9g sugar equivalent
• 17g Di’ao Hao Three-in-One White Coffee packet contained 15g carbs
• 13g Mocha Mandheling instant coffee packet contained 11.2g carbs
• For 500ml prepared drinks, the Maxwell drink contained 34.6g carbs, Mocha Mandheling 43g, and Di’ao Hao 44.1g

All five drinks, when scaled to a standard 500ml serving, surpassed the WHO’s recommended 25g daily sugar intake for women—and four of them also exceeded the 35g limit for men.

The Hidden Sugar in Instant Coffee

Further investigation showed that many instant coffees are loaded with sugar. Supermarket shelf checks revealed that some products contain over 40% carbohydrates by weight, a figure widely accepted as equivalent to sugar content. Examples included:

• Germany’s Glantate Brynmor Black Coffee: 47% carbs
• Maxwell Chocolate Flavor: 69% carbs
• Mocha Mandheling (produced by Jiangsu Mocha Food Co.): 75% carbs

An expert from China Agricultural University noted that high sugar intake can strain the heart, contribute to “sweet food syndrome,” weaken immunity, and disrupt metabolism. Previous domestic testing in 2012 found that some office-style three-in-one coffees contained as much as 48.6g of sucrose per 100g—nearly half sugar by weight.

Brand Responses and Regional Adjustments

COSTA representatives stated that in China, their coffee recipes are customised to local taste preferences, with sweetness levels reduced by an average of 10% compared to their Western counterparts. This regional adjustment also means sugar content may vary between northern and southern China. Both Starbucks and Costa provide white and ‘healthy’ sugar sachets in their stores for customer self-service. However, ‘healthy’ sugar typically contains lactose and the artificial sweetener aspartame—though lower in calories, overconsumption doesn’t necessarily prevent weight gain.

What You Can Do

Health experts suggest that an occasional high-sugar coffee isn’t a major issue, but regular consumption can impact health. For a healthier option, opt for black coffee with no added sugar or milk. According to the Qingdao Beverage Association, black coffee may even help burn fat—but be mindful it can also cause calcium loss, so balance it with calcium-rich foods or drinks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which coffee drinks were found to have the highest sugar content?

The Costa Toffee Nut Latte (large) contained 73.3g of sugar, and Starbucks’ Egg Nog Latte (large) had 58.2g. Both exceed the WHO’s daily sugar limit for women (25g) and men (35g).

What about instant coffee—how much sugar does it contain?

Tested instant coffees like Maxwell Chocolate, Mocha Mandheling, and Di’ao Hao Three-in-One all had high carbohydrate content (43g–44.1g per 500ml), mostly from sugar. Their packaging showed carb levels translating to significant sugar equivalents.

Does Starbucks or Costa serve these high-sugar drinks in China?

No, the specific high-sugar drinks mentioned—the Costa Toffee Nut Latte and Starbucks Egg Nog Latte—are not currently sold in the Chinese market.

How did the researchers test and visualise the sugar content?

Journalists weighed granulated sugar to match the reported sugar content in each drink (e.g., 73.3g for Costa, 58.2g for Starbucks) and measured instant coffee carbs to show how much sugar was in a standard 500ml cup.

Are there any healthier coffee options?

Yes—experts recommend black coffee without sugar or milk. It’s lower in calories and sugar, though some note it may lead to calcium loss, which can be offset by consuming dairy or fortified alternatives.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee for Low-Sugar Brewing

For coffee drinkers watching their sugar intake, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Classic Blend for a balanced medium roast with notes of caramel and nuts—perfect black or with minimal milk. The Black Cocoa Blend offers rich chocolatey depth without sweetness, ideal for espresso or milk drinks with no added sugar. Both roasts highlight clean flavours without masking bitterness, supporting your low-sugar coffee routine. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.