Sugar purchased in soft drinks fell 10% following introduction of industry levy

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-03/uoc-spi030821.php

 

News Release 10-Mar-2021
University of Cambridge

 

The amount of sugar purchased by households through soft drinks fell by 10% in the year following the introduction of the UK Soft Drinks Industry Levy, say researchers at the University of Cambridge.

While the volume of soft drinks purchased did not change, the amount of sugar in those drinks was 30g lower per household per week, which the researchers say represents a 'win-win' for public health and industry.

Sugary drinks have been linked to a number of health issues, including dental caries, obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. In April 2018, the UK introduced a Soft Drinks Industry Levy explicitly designed to incentivise manufacturers to reduce the sugar content of soft drinks. The levy was placed on manufacturers, importers and bottlers rather than on consumers. It included two levy tiers: 24p per litre for 'high tier' drinks containing more than or equal to 8g total sugar per 100ml; and 18p per litre for 'low tier' drinks containing more than or equal to 5g and less than 8g total sugar per 100ml.



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