The sugar tax was introduced in South Africa to reduce the burden of obesity and diabetes. The government is trying to discourage people from consuming sugary beverages by making them more expensive.
Is there a sugar tax in South Africa?
The sugar tax is a type of excise duty that is levied on sugar-sweetened beverages. It has been introduced in South Africa to reduce the consumption of sugar and to raise funds for public health programmes. The sugar tax was implemented in South Africa on April 1, 2018. The tax applies to all sugar-sweetened beverages, including carbonated drinks, energy drinks, fruit juices and iced teas. Drinks with less than 75% natural fruit juice are exempt from the tax.
What is the sugar tax and how does it work?
Sugar tax is a type of excise tax on various food items, which are high in sugar. The aim of the sugar tax is to reduce the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and foods, which are not only unhealthy but also highly addictive. In 2018, the sugar tax started at a rate of 2,1 cents per gram of sugar content, which exceeds 4 grams (about one teaspoon of granulated sugar) per 100ml. The South African government introduced a sugar tax in 2015 by increasing the excise duty on drinks that contain more than 5g per 100ml. This means that drinks like Coca-Cola and Fanta now have an extra 18 cents added to their price tag.
