Like it, or not – the sugar tax is working in South Africa but it needs to be increased to WHO recommendation levels

We are drinking far less of the bad stuff, says Prof Karen Hofman of the Wits Centre for Health Economics and Decision Science.

South Africa introduced a sugar tax of 11% per litre three years ago, significantly below 20% recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Nevertheless, it seems to be doing the job.

Hofman and her team researched the impact of the sugar tax and found large reductions in demand for taxed beverages but no significant changes in demand for untaxed drinks. A similar study a couple of years ago found that households bought 50% fewer sugary beverages.

"Liquid sugar is particularly bad… particularly toxic… Fruit juices were not included [in the tax]. They’re less healthy! … Eat your fruit, don’t drink it!"

Listen to the full audio interview at https://www.capetalk.co.za/articles/413646/like-it-or-not-the-sugar-tax-is-working

#health #sugar #obesity #sugartax #southafrica