AUSTRALIA | Claims that Australia’s public health challenges can be fixed by taxing sugar-sweetened beverages are simplistic and ignore the evidence base from Australian sales and consumption data over almost three decades.
CEO of the Australian Beverages Council, Geoff Parker, said it was disappointing that in calling for a tax, the AMA and other stakeholders have continued to ignore the latest evidence from almost three decades of peer-reviewed Australian studies and the Government’s own ABS data that showed a fundamental shift away from sugar-sweetened beverages in favour of low and no-sugar varieties, including bottled water.
“The data is clear – Australians are drinking half as many sugar-sweetened beverages as they were 28 years ago, and the amount of sugar in those drinks has fallen by 31 percent. Over this same period, rates of overweight and obesity in Australia have continued to increase,” said Parker.
“For over ten years, a tax on soft drinks has been repeatedly rejected by every United Nations political declaration and outcome document relating to prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and has repeatedly failed the WHO’s own evidence criteria to be a “Best Buy”, meaning it is not in the list of the most cost-effective interventions for governments to address issues like overweight and obesity.”
Parker added that continuing to push this tax as a solution showed a serious disconnect between the evidence and those sitting around tables developing public health solutions, who rely on outdated data.
The evidence from Australia shows that real-world initiatives like the industry’s voluntary Sugar Reduction Pledge, reformulation, more low- and no-sugar recipes, and smaller pack options are key to building on the trend of consumers making the right drink choice for themselves and their families over the past three decades.
The ABCL supports balanced, evidence-based approaches to addressing the complex health challenges facing Australians, including whole-of-diet and lifestyle measures.
Industry supports empowering consumers to make informed choices, as evidenced by initiatives such as the Health Star Rating system, which educates consumers about the nutritional profiles of beverages they consume.
The industry will continue to adapt to changing consumer preferences and work proactively with the government to support practical, evidence-based solutions that are proven to improve public health outcomes.
