Food Foundation response to government consultation on proposals to end exemption from the Sugar Tax for milk-based drinks and non dairy substitutes

Dr Hannah Brinsden, Head of Policy and  Advocacy, The Food Foundation, “We welcome the government consultation on the Soft Drinks Industry Levy - SDIL has been a major public health success, removing tonnes of sugar from soft drinks and in turn our diets, while also raising money for children's health. It's only right that we keep ensuring it is working as well as possible; removing exemptions on milk-based drinks and changing the sugar thresholds where the tax is paid are two important improvements.    

“However, sugar in our diets comes from a range of food, not just soft drinks. If the government is serious about improving diets, our health and the economy, they're going to need to be more ambitious and consider extending SDIL to food as the next step. In doing so they can reshape incentives in the food system towards healthier food, and raise much needed to revenue to support other priorities such as reducing inequalities and improving children's health.”