UK Expands Sugar Tax To Include Milk-Based Beverages, Including Coffee Drinks – CoffeeTalk

In the United Kingdom, there is an ongoing campaign aimed at reducing sugar consumption, highlighted by the recent expansion of the sugar tax to include coffee drinks and milkshakes. Dr. Kawther Hashem, a nutritionist who advocated for this tax, emphasizes its significance in addressing the obesity crisis, noting that sugary drinks are a primary contributor to childhood hospital admissions. The tax, implemented in 2018, imposes a charge of up to 30 cents per liter on beverages containing 8 grams or more of sugar per 100 milliliters; however, many manufacturers have proactively reduced sugar levels in their products to avoid the tax, resulting in marked differences between British and American versions of these beverages, often substituting sugar with artificial sweeteners like aspartame.

The U.K. Department of Health and Social Care has recently announced an extension of the sugar tax to include milk-based drinks such as milkshakes, flavored milks, and sweetened yogurt drinks, with compliance expected from manufacturers by January 2028. The new regulations will lower the sugar threshold for taxation from 5 grams to 4.5 grams per 100 milliliters. A study from the University of Cambridge reveals that the sugar tax is effective, reportedly preventing 5,000 obesity cases annually among 10- and 11-year-old girls alone.

An American mother residing in the U.K., Jules Dunlop, observes that food options in the British market typically offer healthier alternatives compared to those in the United States, without compromising on taste. Dunlop shares her personal experience of consuming less sugar in the U.K., which has led to increased energy levels and improved skin clarity, stating that the reduced sugar baseline has significantly contributed to a healthier lifestyle. While some U.S. cities have implemented their own sugar taxes, the absence of a cohesive national policy renders the likelihood of American manufacturers adjusting their product formulations low.

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