We found that evidence cited by three organisations - a big corporate and two industry lobby groups - was either not evidence at all, or had been twisted to suit the industry’s narrative.
Australia needs a sugar tax, as part of a broader national nutrition policy, to combat the obesity crisis. And the sugar industry is getting in the way.
The sugar industry has employed various tactics to influence health policy in its favour.
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Tonight, Four Corners looks at the tactics Big Sugar has used to influence health policy. Here’s our pick of five analysis pieces that will get you informed on the issue before the program airs.
Why you might soon be paying more for your favourite sugary drink.
Governments in countries such as Mexico and the United Kingdom have responded to the over-consumption of refined sugar with a “sugar tax;” Canada lags behind.
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The sugar tax relies on creating a price difference between high- and low-sugar drinks, but this could be cancelled out by bundled offers, such as fixed-price meal deals.
There’s no direct evidence that taxing sugary drinks will lead to more consumption of alcohol.
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A recent study was reported as saying a sugar tax would have us drinking more alcohol. But the study didn’t establish this fact. The results were mixed with no evidence one thing caused another.
As cities in developing countries - like Lagos in Nigeria, pictured here - grow, so do obesity risks.
Reuters/Akintunde Akinleye
Governments must understand that the factors making cities convenient and productive also make their residents prone to obesity. They must confront this challenge with intelligent, focused policies.
Unhealthy food corporations use various tactics to undermine public health policies aimed at tackling the scourge of non-communicable diseases like diabetes and obesity.
Taxing sugary drinks to tackle obesity would lead to a stronger economy, new research shows.
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The benefits of a sugar tax go beyond mere health savings when obesity rates drop. Our new research predicts wider economic benefits due to more, healthier people in work.
The type of sugar in popular soft drinks varies from country to country even if the brand name is the same.
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A recent study found Australian soft drinks had higher concentrations of glucose than US soft drinks, which had more fructose. Does this mean Australian drinks are worse for health than US drinks?
People are leading more sedentary lifestyles and eating calorie dense foods fuelling obesity.
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Professor and Programme Director, SA MRC Centre for Health Economics and Decision Science - PRICELESS SA (Priority Cost Effective Lessons in Systems Strengthening South Africa), University of the Witwatersrand
Senior Researcher, SA MRC Centre for Health Economics and Decision Science, PRICELESS SA, Faculty of Health Sciences, Wits School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand