Revealed: The popular children's yoghurts that contain dangerous amounts of sugar - with Nestle's Smarties Vanilla Split Pot at the top of the list

Whether it's at breakfast or in a lunch box, yoghurts are a staple for millions of British children. 

But a new study might make you think twice before choosing certain varieties for your family. 

Experts from Action on Salt & Sugar have revealed the popular options that contain dangerous amounts of sugar. 

Of the 104 yoghurts analysed by the researchers, just two were low in total sugars.

The worst offender is the Nestle Smarties Vanilla Split Pot, which contains a whopping 14.1g of sugar per 100g. 

In contrast, The Collective Great Dairy Natural + Vitamin D, and Yoplait Petits Filous No Added Sugar Strawberry & Banana are the least sugary options, both containing 4.7g per 100g.

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

The worst offender is the Nestle Smarties Vanilla Split Pot, which contains a whopping 14.1g of sugar per 100g

Yoghurts are an excellent source of both protein and calcium, with the NHS advising parents to give them to their children.

The yoghurts with the most sugar

1. Nestlé Smarties Mix-In Vanilla Yogurts: 14.1
2. Lidl Milbona Fruit Duo Fromage Frais Strawberry & Vanilla: 11.3
3. Nestlé Munch Bunch Double Up Strawberry & Vanilla Fromage Frais: 10.7
4. Aldi Brooklea Tube It Peach / Berry / Strawberry: 9.9
5. Lidl Milbona Yogurt Tubes - Peach / Red berries / Strawberry: 9.9
6. Nestlé Munch Bunch Double Up Strawberry & Banana Fromage Frais: 9.9
7. Yoplait Wildlife Variety Yoghurts: 9.9
8. Yoplait Frubes: 9.9

Figures are grams of sugar per 100g 

'Try to give your child at least 350ml (12oz) of milk a day, or 2 servings of foods made from milk, such as cheese, yoghurt or fromage frais,' the NHS explains on its website. 

'Full–fat cheese, yoghurt and fromage frais are recommended up to the age of 2.'

However, many of these yoghurts contain dangerous amounts of sugar, which can lead to tooth decay. 

In their study, the team analysed the sugar levels in 104 popular yoghurts, sold in UK supermarkets. 

Overall, Nestle's Smarties Split Pot Vanilla was the worst offender, with 14.1g of sugar per 100g, which translates to 15.1g per serving. 

This was ahead of Lidl's Milbona Fruit Duo Fromage Frais Strawberry & Vanilla, with 11.3g/100g, and Nestle's Munch Bunch Double Up Strawberry & Vanilla Fromage Frais, with 10.7g/100g. 

At the other end of the scale, The Collective Great Dairy Natural + Vit D and Yoplait Petits Filous No Added Sugar Strawberry & Banana both contain 4.7g of sugar per 100g, ahead of Little Yeos Blueberry & Banana, with 5.4g/100g. 

For reference, the NHS advises that children aged 7-10 should have no more than 24g of free sugars a day, children aged 4-6 should have no more than 19g, children aged 2-3 should have no more than 14g, and children aged one should have no more than 10g.

 The Collective Great Dairy Natural + Vitamin D was one of the least sugary options, with just 4.7g of sugar per 100g

Yoplait Petits Filous No Added Sugar Strawberry & Banana contains just 4.7g of sugar per 100g

The yoghurts with the least sugar

1. The Collective Great Dairy Natural + Vit D: 4.7
2. Yoplait Petits Filous No Added Sugar Strawberry & Banana yogurt: 4.7
3. Little Yeos Greek Style Natural Yogurts: 4.9
4. Little Yeos Blueberry & Banana Yogurt: 5.4
5. ASDA Plain Yogurt Pouches: 5.5
6. Sainsbury's Greek Style Yogurts: 5.7
7. The Collective Great Dairy Super Spoonies Banana / Mango: 5.7
8. ASDA Mango Yogurt Pouches: 5.8

Figures are grams of sugar per 100g 

According to the researchers, a conservative estimate would be that 3.8g per 100g of total sugars are naturally occurring from milk. 

This suggests much of the sugars in children's yoghurts come from harmful free sugars.

This includes added sugar, fruit purees, and fruit juices. 

Dr Hashem said: 'Yoghurt can be a valuable source of nutrients such as calcium and vitamin D to children’s diets, but these should not come with unnecessary amounts of free sugars.'

Based on the findings, Action on Salt & Sugar is calling for products featuring child-appealing packaging – such as cartoons, bright colours and familiar characters – to be reserved for healthier products. 

'Parents should not have to choose between providing nutritious foods and avoiding excessive sugar in products specifically marketed for children,' Dr Hashem added. 

'Government must introduce stronger measures to ensure all companies reduce sugar levels, and that child–appealing packaging are reserved for the best products out there.'