Milkshakes and lattes hit by Government sugar tax
Britain will end the exemption for pre-packaged milkshakes and milky coffees from an existing tax on sugary drinks from January 2028, the health department has announced.
The sugar tax, also known as the soft drink industry levy (SDIL), is a tax on pre-packaged drinks such as those sold in cans and cartons in supermarkets.
It was introduced by the Conservative government in 2016 to help drive down obesity, particularly among children.
The Health Department has announced that:
the government will reduce the current lower threshold at which SDIL applies from 5g of total sugars per 100ml to 4.5g of total sugars per 100ml
the government will remove the current exemption for milk-based drinks with added sugar. A ‘lactose allowance’ will be introduced to account for naturally occurring sugars in milk
the government will remove the exemption for milk substitute drinks with added sugar. Milk substitute drinks without added sugar will remain outside the scope of SDIL. This includes plant-based drinks that only contain sugars derived from their principal or ‘core’ ingredient
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“After years of campaigning, we welcome the Government’s decision to extend the Soft Drinks Industry Levy to include milk-based drinks and lower the threshold from 5g to 4.5g of sugar per 100ml as a significant victory for public health.
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“Tooth decay remains the leading cause of hospital admissions among 5- to 9-year-olds in England, outpacing other illnesses such as acute tonsilitis. Extending the Levy represents a major step towards protecting children’s oral health.
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“FDS has consistently called for the threshold to be lowered to 4g of sugar per 100ml. While today’s announcement does not go as far as we recommend, we nevertheless welcome this change and remain hopeful that it will improve the dental and public health of the nation.”
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