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Sugar Tax Won’t Solve Obesity — Beverage Council Fires Back at WHO

The International Council for Beverages Associations (ICBA) has taken a bold stance against the World Health Organization (WHO), rejecting its latest push to raise taxes on sugary drinks.

According to ICBA, taxing sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) has not delivered the health benefits the WHO keeps claiming.

“It’s deeply concerning that the World Health Organization (WHO) continues to disregard over a decade of clear evidence showing that taxing sugar-sweetened beverages has never improved health outcomes or reduced obesity in any country,” said ICBA’s Executive Director, Kate Loatman.

She said the WHO had itself admitted in the past that sugar taxes are not the “best or most effective” tool for tackling global health problems like obesity.

Industry Pushes for Real Solutions

Loatman insisted that the beverage industry is not sitting idly by.

She said companies are already making healthy changes without waiting for policy pressure.

Sugar addicts tend to enjoy other high-calorie foods, making beverages not the only culprit in the surge of obesity

“The beverage industry continues to advance collaborative and innovative solutions like broadening access to low and no-sugar beverage options, supporting transparent labelling, and upholding the highest standards for responsible marketing,” she stated.

She urged the WHO and other stakeholders to focus on partnership, not punishment.

“By working together on these proactive measures, we can deliver real, measurable progress toward global health priorities,” she added.

Tax vs Real Impact: What Does the Data Say?

ICBA accused the WHO of ignoring years of data that prove sugar taxes don’t reduce obesity.

Research in countries like Mexico and South Africa — where such taxes were implemented — shows that while soft drink purchases dropped briefly, overall calorie intake didn’t change much.

People simply shifted to other sweet products.

Some critics say sugar taxes mostly punish the poor, who end up paying more but rarely benefit in the long run.

Meanwhile, beverage companies say they are already reformulating drinks to reduce sugar levels and offering clearer labels so consumers can make informed choices.

ICBA represents the global non-alcoholic beverage industry. Its members include both regional beverage bodies and big international brands in over 200 countries.

Is there overwhelming evidence directly linking sugar consumption to obesity? Will raising taxes on sweetened beverages help stop obesity? Or is this just another case of poor policy?
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Is there overwhelming evidence directly linking sugar consumption to obesity? Will raising taxes on sweetened beverages help stop obesity? Or is this just another case of poor policy?x
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Abigayle Ndaguba
Abigayle Ndaguba
3 months ago

The bodies concerned should do better. What a shame! They are endangering people’s health.

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