Consumer centers have voiced their support for the Federal Ministry of Finance’s plans regarding a tax on sugary drinks. Ramona Pop, a board member of the Federal Consumer Centre Association (VZBV), stated that the Ministry’s intention to exclude drinks containing sweeteners from the sugar tax is correct. According to Pop, all beverages containing either sugar or artificial sweeteners must be included to promote a healthier diet.
Pop emphasized that the sugar tax is crucial for health prevention and should not be utilized as a tool for budgetary recovery. She stressed that the revenues generated must be consistently channeled into nutritional prevention efforts. Furthermore, the VZBV board member clarified that a sugar tax does not automatically lead to higher prices for beverages. Rather, the tax’s primary purpose is to provide an incentive for manufacturers to lower the sugar content of their products through better recipes.
The Ministry of Finance previously put forward a framework paper outlining the planned sugar tax. This plan specifies that beverages containing added sweeteners will also be subject to the levy. This includes products such as sodas, smoothies, nectar, and grain-based drinks like oat milk.
