Before the Bundesrat session on Friday-where Schleswig‑Holstein will discuss a proposal to impose a sugar tax-Foodwatch called for the measure to be adopted urgently.
“Those who oppose the sugar tax mainly represent the interests of soft‑drink manufacturers” said Luise Molling, Foodwatch’s nutrition‑policy expert.
Molling warned that not introducing a tax would hurt public health. “Liquid sugar is particularly damaging” she explained, noting that soft drinks are a major contributor to type‑2 diabetes and obesity.
She also highlighted the economic benefits. “A sugar tax could prevent hundreds of thousands of illnesses and save up to €16 billion in costs” Molling said.
Molling urged Germany to catch up with the more than 100 nations that already have a sugar tax. “In the UK the tax has led manufacturers to reduce the sugar content of their drinks” she pointed out, adding that Fanta sold in England contains only half the sugar found in the German version.
“Countries must now support Daniel Günther’s initiative and back the Bundesrat proposal” Molling urged.
