Nicola Sturgeon has been urged to introduce a sugar tax and crack down on multi-buy and discounted promotions of sweet products in shops to tackle Scotland’s obesity crisis. In its first major report on the nation’s eating habits, Food Standards Scotland (FSS) said that action was needed because voluntary efforts by the food and drink industry were not working. It said that the obesity epidemic was getting worse and that the country had been missing healthy eating targets for 15 years. The FSS said that the industry should be given 12 months to come up with new ways to help to reduce the nation’s excessive sugar consumption. If not, although taxation is a reserved matter, ministers should consider introducing “a price differential through taxing sugar
Food Standards Scotland (FSS) is urging the Scottish Government to introduce a tax on sugar, or provide an alternative way to reduce sugar consumption within 12 months; other suggestions include curbs on the promotion and advertising of certain foods containing sugar. Scotland has been missing healthy eating targets for 15 years, and despite a fifth less consumption of fizzy drinks, consumers have been making up for it by eating cakes, pastries and sweets.