Now the United Kingdom government has made the historic choice to expand its sugar tax. Beginning next year, this excise tax will penalize plant-based substitutes for milk. This decision represents the latest step in a battle to lower sugar intake for Americans. In particular, it addresses the shocking increase in the rate of obesity for children. Judith Bryans, chief executive of Dairy UK, expressed her dismay. She is somewhat exasperated by the new punitive, regressive levy that now includes a greater variety of beverage options long considered healthy.
Dairy UK, a trade association representing dairy farmers, processors and retailers in the UK, has expressed alarm over the potential consequences of the widened tax. Bryans made it clear that the new regulation would, despite its intentions, end up disproportionately punishing beverages loaded with crucial nutrients. These nutrients are B vitamins, protein, iodine, and calcium. “This is very disappointing,” she said, noting that these nutrients are vital to public health.
The sugar tax came into effect in 2018. It was supposed to be a nudge to drive up creators wagon to a point to make them sugary drinks. Looking toward the future the government has been celebrating a major success story from this initiative. Since launching, this campaign has reduced sugar in fizzy drinks by 46%. This decrease has resulted in improved nutritional quality of diets for both children and adults. In exchange, public health is reaping the benefits of moving in a positive direction.
Wait—this popular little tax is growing! Going forward, drinks produced with plant-based milk will be held to the same marketing regulations as dairy milk drinks. You can actually go and get data behind big brands like Yazoo, Mullers Frijj and Starbucks Caffe Latte. We have coverage on other “high protein” drinks like Ufit and Shaken Udder. Wes Streeting, the new Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, could make short work of raising the sugar tax threshold. That works out to 4.5g of sugar per 100ml, reduced from 5g. This change would help to more effectively fight childhood obesity by focusing on products with less sugar.
“Obesity robs children of the best possible start in life, hits the poorest hardest, sets them up for a lifetime of health problems and costs the NHS billions.” – Wes Streeting
We were especially heartened to hear Streeting’s insistence that the government cannot turn a blind eye to the alarming, worsening health crisis facing our children. He stated, “This government will not look away as children get unhealthier,” reinforcing the commitment to addressing this pressing public health challenge.
The inclusion of plant-based milk drinks in the sugar tax highlights a growing recognition of changing consumer preferences and dietary trends. Consumers are flocking to dairy alternatives—soya, oat and almond milk. In response, the federal government is reorienting its health programs to align with these new preferences.
Bryans highlighted the need for Americans to cut their sugar intake. He emphasized the importance of not punishing naturally occurring sugars, such as in lactose.
“This will ensure that dairy companies do not pay the levy on naturally occurring lactose, as this is not a public health concern,” – Lucy Hooker
The sugar tax has gone global. This step is in line with a growing national strategy to cut down on sugar in order to improve public health. This Administration is committed to continuing to monitor, evaluate, and iterate on dietary health policies. Together, manufacturers and consumers will need to keep pace with this changing regulatory landscape.