The UK Government has launched a consultation on extending the ‘sugar tax’ to include milk-based drinks and non-dairy alternatives in Wales. 🥛
Currently, drinks like milkshakes and ready-to-go lattes are exempt from the soft drinks industry levy, which was introduced in 2018. This exemption was originally put in place due to concerns about calcium consumption, particularly among children.
The consultation proposes three key changes:
- Reducing the minimum sugar threshold from 5g to 4g per 100ml
- Removing the exemption for milk-based drinks (with a ‘lactose allowance’)
- Ending the exemption for milk substitute drinks with added sugars
Government analysis shows 203 pre-packed milk-based drinks would be affected unless manufacturers reduce their sugar content. The Welsh Government has confirmed it would implement these changes if adopted by the UK Government.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “We are making sure we are taking practical, sensible measures to improve the health of our children.”
The Treasury noted young people only get 3.5% of their calcium intake from such drinks, meaning “it is also likely that the health benefits do not justify the harms from excess sugar.”
The Food and Drink Federation responded that “significant progress” had already been made, with sugar in soft drinks reduced by 46% in the last five years and a 30% reduction in pre-packed milk-based drinks over three years.
The consultation will run until 21 July.
Do you support extending the sugar tax to milkshakes and coffee drinks? 🤔
