Most of the modifications to the Social Security budget (PLFSS) wanted by the deputies of the Social Affairs Committee will go by the wayside. But the project of a tax on “processed sugars” (glucose, sucrose, fructose, etc.) in sodas and processed products may have a better future.
In an interview with La Tribune Sundaythe Minister of Health Geneviève Darrieussecq said “favorable to taxes on processed sugars”. Saturday, his colleague from Agriculture Annie Genevard was there on the contrary firmly opposed: “We must not add burdens to our companies at a time when they are fighting to defend their position on global markets”she had said in an interview with the Agra news agency.
Soda tax and more
Monday, Yannick Neuder (Les Républicains), general rapporteur of the PLFSS, defended the taxation of “processed sugars” on France Info : “20 to 30% of young people consume more than 100 grams of sugar per day”, he pointed out. In fact, a fifth of adults, a quarter of teenagers, almost two thirds of 8-12 year olds and three quarters of 4-7 year olds exceed the recommended daily sugar amounts. For taxation, “we have to go gradually”, however nuanced Yannick Neuder in the face of the outcry from the agro-industry, insisting instead on the raising of a « soda tax ».
Apart from replenishing state coffers, would a tax have an effect on the health of the French? ? In March, ANSES published a report on the use of sugars in processed foods. Three quarters of them, even salty ones, contain it. As for sweet drinks, however, the sugar content has decreased since 2013.
The trend had been underway since 2010 but accelerated, following a collective agreement and the implementation of a tax. Since 2018, this has been proportional to the added sugar content.
5% less
The price effect, until now marginal for the consumer, has not (at all) affected sales. But sugar levels fell by an average of 5% between 2013 and 2019: “We found that the drop in sugar content did not induce a migration towards sweeter products,” noted Jean-Luc Volatier, from Anses, in the spring. No doubt because the whole sector had evolved.
The perverse effect of a severe tax on processed sugars could, however, be a strong comeback of synthetic sweeteners, which should also be avoided, and for the moment little taxed.
