Sugar tax on sweetened dairy drinks: no more loophole

“The exemption for sweetened dairy drinks is no longer justifiable,” says Ceel Elemans, Food Sector Specialist at ING. The government is taking the next step: drinks with even a small amount of dairy will soon fall under the sugar tax. This move follows clever tactics by manufacturers to sidestep the levy.

Tax linked to sugar content

According to Elemans, the tax could be even more effective if it's based on actual sugar levels. “The more sugar a drink contains, the higher the tax. This makes the sugar tax smarter and more effective,” he states. The change reflects growing calls for more targeted health measures.

Health impact as main objective

The extended consumption tax is primarily aimed at tackling overweight and obesity. Despite agreements with the food sector, figures from RIVM show that the number of people with excess weight continues to rise. This is happening even though sugar and salt levels in sweet products have dropped by 15 to 30 percent. As a result, the goals of the 2018 National Prevention Agreement are now out of reach.

Awareness campaigns funded by tax revenue

To help consumers make more informed choices, additional awareness campaigns are needed. The expected €36 million in revenue from the revised tax—set to take effect in 2027—can be used to support these efforts. Elemans believes that differentiation and clear communication are essential to boost support. With these elements in place, the sugar tax could become a stronger tool in addressing unhealthy eating habits.

Ing.nl