The state was able to achieve its goal - with the application of the tax on sugary drinks and diet in January, there was a decrease in their consumption.
But at the same time, the food industry reports an increase in the consumption of sweet snacks at that time - sweets, chocolates and more.
Since January 1, 2022, taxation on soft drinks has been applied, and according to Sterncast data, there has been a 25% decrease in sales of soft drinks and a 27% decrease in the beverage concentrates category, compared to January 2020. At the same time, there were increases in other sugar-saturated categories. - Strong sales.
This can be seen in categories such as gummy candies, which have risen by 28%;
Popsicles, with an increase of 13%;
Sweet snacks, with a 3% increase, and more.
The red check effect decreases.
Sugary drinks, Photo: Getty Images
A source in the food industry confirms the increase in sales of the confectionery category.
According to him, in January and February there was an increase in sales of jelly candies (more than 30%), toffees (more than 20%), family packages of chocolates, such as "timeout", etc. (average increase of 6%) and more .
It is too early to determine whether there is necessarily a direct link between the two, but the data should be monitored over the coming months.
If the move to tax sugary drinks has indeed created an undesirable effect of "compensation", it is important that the state also act on the explanatory level, in order to raise awareness of the health damages as a result of excessive sugar consumption.
Dr. Dorit Adler, president of the Israeli Forum for Sustainable Nutrition, explains that "in Corona there has been an increase in the consumption of sweets and snacks.
"Once the parents started bringing these products home in larger quantities during the closure period, then they also got the family used to it being the 'food environment', and going back afterwards is very difficult."
Adler points out another important point - the effect of the red marking diminishes: "The shelf of snacks is not marked in red. 400 mg of sodium, then reduced to 390 ".
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