Soda: taxes & regulation

© iStock

Will an end to sugar quotas undermine a sugar tax?

By David Burrows

Health campaigners in the UK fear that the end of the EU’s sugar quota regime will trigger a nosedive in prices and shelter manufacturers from next year’s sugar tax. But analysts say their concerns are “somewhat exaggerated”.

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...

Coca-Cola Christmas truck should be banned, say public health experts

BMJ editorial: ‘Apparently Coca-Cola’s voice counts more than those of directors of public health’

Coca-Cola Christmas truck should be banned, argue public health campaigners

By Rachel Arthur

An editorial published in the journal BMJ this week calls for Coca-Cola’s Christmas truck to be banned as public health campaigners seek to improve children’s health. But Coca-Cola GB has hit back, saying that its tour operates in line with its responsible...

'Rather than throwing the baby out with the bathwater we just need to look at it and find a way of making sure the vulnerable consumer is protected,' says GSK. ©iStock/EldadCarin

Dispatches from the #SNC16 congress in Frankfurt

Could energy drinks be cut out of the EU caffeine claim loop?

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The European Specialist Sports Nutrition Alliance (ESSNA) is lobbying for two different solutions to the EU caffeine claim hold up, one of which could see use of the claims limited to sports supplements only.  

© 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.  

Beverage industry licks wounds after regulatory and GST notifications

South Asia radius

Beverage industry licks wounds after regulatory and GST notifications

By RJ Whitehead

The Indian food regulator has amended the national food regulations to include a definition for carbonated fruit beverages, much to the disappointment of beverage makers, who are still reeling at a proposal to levy a “luxury tax” on their products. 

'Updates will have a major impact on beverage producers' Pic:iStock/PRUDENCIOALVAREZ

How to plan for the FDA’s new beverage label rules

By Marsha Frydrychowski, Resource Label Group

In May 2016, the FDA released its final rules for updated food and beverage labels. Marsha Frydrychowski of Resource Label Group outlines how beverage brands can plan for the new rules.

Too close to Coke: FIZZ campaigners told to change their logo

New Zealand

Too close to Coke: FIZZ campaigners told to change their logo

By RJ Whitehead

A “no sugary drinks” logo which will be on display this week will “empower” communities to improve their health, and send a clear message about the damage caused by too much sugar in Kiwi diets, according to a health campaign group.

'Only 40% of us have a healthy weight,' said health minister Simon Harris in a foreword to the report. 'In terms of scale, this represents one of the biggest public health challenges Ireland is facing today.'  © World Obesity Federation

Ireland launches national obesity plan

By Niamh Michail

The Irish government has launched an ambitious national obesity plan which proposes a sugary drinks tax, maximum portion sizes, marketing restrictions and reformulation targets - but the lack of funding to implement the policy has led to criticism from...

Ireland may follow Mexico and the UK and bring in a tax on sugary drinks in a bid to curb obesity.  © iStock

Ireland ponders sugary drinks tax

By Niamh Michail

A tax on sugary drinks is being considered by the Irish government as part of the upcoming budget, a measure condemned by the Irish Beverage Council (IBC) as “costly political posturing”.

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...

Chocolate milk: Nutritional powerhouse or sugary treat? Pic: iStock/Mizina

How will milk drinks be affected by UK sugar tax?

By Rachel Arthur

Milk-based drinks are to be excluded from the UK sugar tax, given their nutritional value. And yet some milk-based drinks contain considerable amounts of added sugar. So how can the levy distinguish between the two?  

UK sugar tax consultation launched

UK sugar tax: Government unveils plans and consultation

By Rachel Arthur

The UK government has confirmed details of its plans for a tax on sugar sweetened beverages, launching a consultation on the levy along with its long-awaited childhood obesity strategy today. 

WLF: San Francisco soda warnings violate First Amendment

Is the food industry working for or against the consumer? Find out at Food Vision USA 2016

San Francisco soda health warnings violate First Amendment by forcing manufacturers to denigrate their own products, says WLF

By Elaine Watson

The Washington Legal Foundation (WLF) has urged the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to stop enforcing a San Francisco ordinance requiring sugary drink ads to include health warnings, on the grounds that they violate manufacturers’ First Amendment...

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.