Soft drinks giants should be going "further, faster" in reducing the high levels of sugar found in many of their products, the body that represents British local councils says.
Britain's Local Government Association research has found that some fruit juices often thought to be a healthy option contain more sugar than cola, while many cans of fizzy drink contain twice the recommended daily sugar limit.
With a third of children now classed as overweight, it said such drinks were fuelling the obesity crisis.
Ocean Spray Cranberry Classic juice was found to have 11g of sugar per 100ml, while pomegranate drink Pomegreat had 12.1g. A can of full-sugar Coca-Cola has 10.6 grams.
It also found a can of Old Jamaica Ginger Beer contained 12 teaspoons of sugar - double the World Health Organisation's 25g recommended daily sugar limit.
The LGA, which represents more than 370 councils in England and Wales, which are responsible for public health, said it wants manufacturers to follow the lead of those that have led the way on sugar reduction.
Izzi Seccombe, chairwoman of the LGA's Community Well-being Board, said: "It is wholly unacceptable for one normal-sized can of soft drink to contain 12 teaspoons of sugar - double the recommended daily limit.
"Products like these are fuelling the obesity crisis and helping wean a generation of overweight children.
"Some firms are showing willing when it comes to reducing sugar - but others are simply dragging their heels.
"They need to go further, faster. We are calling on the sector as a whole to step up and show more corporate responsibility.
"In many cases, people are unaware of exactly how much sugar these fizzy drinks contain.
"Manufacturers must also provide clearer, larger and more prominent labelling which spells out the sugar content. It is crucial to tackle obesity at an early age.
"Overweight five-year-olds are four times more likely to be obese than their healthy weight counterparts."
