Tuesday, July 13, 2010

USDA says Soda Tax will work!


For those of you not in the know, there is a soda tax being proposed that will add a tax on soda and sugar sweetened drinks. Just like taxing cigarettes. There has been some outcry (mostly by soda producers) that the soda tax is unfair, is infringing on our American rights, etc. They say we are being unfair to working families by charging more money for their groceries.

You know what isn't being taxed? Water, fruit juices, and milk. Healthier choices. SO- if you had to choose to save money AND be healthy, the soda tax makes sense. The USDA also found that the elimination of these sugary drinks would cause a decrease in body weight for adults and children. After watching Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution, I know how important it is to get rid of those sugared drinks not just for weight and health, but also for mood regulation!

Here's the report in the USDA's words (mine are more fun):

Economic Research Report No. (ERR-100) 33 pp, July 2010

The link between high U.S. obesity rates and the overconsumption of added sugars, largely from sodas and fruit drinks, has prompted public calls for a tax on caloric sweetened beverages. Faced with such a tax, consumers may reduce consumption of these sweetened beverages and substitute nontaxed beverages, such as bottled water, juice, and milk. This study estimated that a tax-induced 20-percent price increase on caloric sweetened beverages could cause an average reduction of 37 calories per day, or 3.8 pounds of body weight over a year, for adults and an average of 43 calories per day, or 4.5 pounds over a year, for children. Given these reductions in calorie consumption, results show an estimated decline in adult overweight prevalence (66.9 to 62.4 percent) and obesity prevalence (33.4 to 30.4 percent), as well as the child at-risk-for-overweight prevalence (32.3 to 27.0 percent) and the overweight prevalence (16.6 to 13.7 percent). Actual impacts would depend on many factors, including how the tax is reflected in consumer prices and the competitive strategies of beverage manufacturers and food retailers.



I think the hardest thing will be how to resist the temptations that the soda companies will be throwing at us. I know they don't want to lose sales. I hope this encourages them to step up and give us healthier optons- be part of the solution, guys!

5 comments:

  1. I was FOR the soda tax but things are already so expensive in nyc and let's not even mention all of the people that are out of work...I am torn on this issue...

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  2. I completely agree with the soda tax, i think that people need to realize what being put into the food. I'll never forget when i found out that domino sugar patented a flavor (not calorie free mind you) sugar. Has all the calories and effects of regular sugar... without the sweetening capabilities. wtf?!

    If we could actually just eat whole foods, we would not be having this wieght epidemic. i

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  3. Fortunately I'm not bothered as I don't drink soda (in any form) any more. But makes you wonder where all the taxing will stop.

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  4. You know- water is 100% free. I would rather have a glass of free 0 calorie water than $1.50 and 120 calories on a Coke.

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  5. /shrug. I only drink diet (and not often), so this doesn't bother me personally. If it makes someone think twice before downing 6 cokes a day and realize that they have calories, then good. I guess. Again, /shrug

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