The Food Foundation response to the sugar tax extension
announced today
Dr Hannah Brinsden, Head of Policy and Advocacy, The Food
Foundation said, "Today's
announcement that the soft drinks industry
levy (SDIL) is to be strengthened is a welcome step,
and acknowledgement of the major public health success SDIL
has had to date – it has created a financial
incentive for companies to remove tonnes of sugar from soft
drinks, while also raising much needed revenue for
children's health. It's only right the design
is strengthened to ensure it is having the
maximum impact and that its success continues. Companies
should put their consumers health first and introduce
changes without delay.
"The government has set out a vision
for a new ‘good food cycle', which will require
incentives across the food system that encourage healthier,
more sustainable food for everyone. We know sugar comes from a
range of food, not just soft drinks, so the government
should now be looking to learn from the success
of SDIL to date and extend it to food, as part of
efforts to grow a strong economy that
supports public health, and reset the economic
incentives in the food system. This will also help create new
revenue that can be invested in addressing
key priorities such as child poverty and children's
health."
