Soft Drink

Sugar taxes: The global picture in 2017

Sugar taxes: The global picture in 2017

By Lester Wan, Elaine Watson, Rachel Arthur

Sugar taxes have continued to gain momentum in 2017, but the introduction of new legislation is rarely straight-forward. We take a look at countries around the globe where sugar taxes have been making headlines this year.

 Action on Sugar calls to extend UK sugar tax to confectionery ©iStock/karandaev

Chocolate and candy tax proposed in the UK

By Oliver Nieburg

Pressure group Action on Sugar is urging the UK government to expand a sugar tax on soft drinks to chocolate and sweet confectionery – a move seen as “punitive” and "discriminatory” by industry bodies.

© iStock/bogdandreava

The big debate: Can sugar survive a public health crisis?

By Niamh Michail

The world is getting fatter and unhealthier - are smaller portions and diet drinks really going to help when they sit next to full-sugar, supersized products? Is it time to tax or is industry doing enough? Catch the highlights from our live debate.

UK sugar tax confirmed in Budget 2017

UK sugar tax confirmed in Budget 2017

By Rachel Arthur

A UK sugar tax has been confirmed as part of the government’s Budget 2017 today, with the rates set for the two-tier soft drinks industry levy.

Pic:iStock/PPrat

Can a soda tax discourage ‘go large’?

By Rachel Arthur

Discouraging the sale of ‘jumbo sized’ sugary drinks would have both economic and health benefits, according to a UK study led by the University of East Anglia. Policy interventions – such as soda taxes and portion cap rules – must be carefully designed...

© iStock/Piotr_Malczyk

2016: The year of the sugar tax

By Richard Whitehead, Elaine Watson, Will Chu, Niamh Michail, Louis Gore-Langton, Rachel Arthur

Debate around sugar taxes has hit the limelight this year, with the controversial topic grabbing headlines around the globe.  

Sugar taxes: A case of pop policy and comic consultation

By J T Winkler, emeritus professor of nutrition policy, London Metropolitan University

The UK's sugar tax was little more than populist light relief to brighten a speech full of economic doom and gloom. But what's worse, argues Professor Jack Winkler, is that the government's 'pseudo-consultation' about the tax is...

South Africa announced its sugar tax in February: now it is setting out the details. Pic:iStock/verdateo

South Africa sets out sugar tax plans

By Rachel Arthur

South Africa’s National Treasury has published proposals for a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages, and is inviting comment on the plans. 

The Queen's Speech sets out the government's plans for the year ahead

Food and drink firms welcome Queen’s Speech – mostly

By Michael Stones

Government plans to support business, education and the economy – set out in the Queen’s Speech – have been welcomed by food and drink manufacturers. But plans to introduce a sugar tax continued to draw criticism from the Food and Drink Federation (FDF).

A.G. Barr says that two-thirds of its portfolio will escape a sugar tax. Pic: iStock

A.G. Barr shrugs off sugar tax worries

By Rachel Arthur

Soft drinks company A.G. Barr says a combination of brand strength and ongoing product reformulation will minimize the financial impact of the UK’s sugar tax on its business.

The sugar shock budget announcement has dismayed and delighted in equal measure

Sugar tax

Budget shock: sugar tax on soft drinks

By Michael Stones

A surprise tax on sugary soft drinks to tackle childhood obesity, unveiled in Chancellor George Osborne’s budget, has dismayed manufacturers but delighted campaigners, including celebrity chef Jamie Oliver.

Pic: iStock / piotr_malczk

What is the beverage industry doing to cut calories?

By Rachel Arthur

From reformulation to nutritional labeling, the non-alcoholic beverage industry has adopted a variety of strategies to reduce the calorie content of drinks. We look at how different strategies from around the world are being implemented. 

The announcement of a levy has come as a surprise to many. Pic: iStock

UK sugar tax on soft drinks: The industry's reaction

By Rachel Arthur

The UK government has announced a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages. But the industry has slammed the levy, saying soft drinks have been ‘singled out’ despite manufacturers’ existing efforts to reduce calories.  

Taxing sugary drinks would cut obesity, according to a new, disputed report

Sugary drink obesity claims slammed by industry

By Michael Stones

The soft drink industry has slammed claims that a 20% tax on sugary drinks would cut UK obesity rates by 5% within nine years – resulting in 3.7M fewer obese people.

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