Sugar-reduction policies have led to artificial sweetener boom, IPS says

ECONOMYNEXT Sri Lanka's sugar-reduction policies have led manufacturers to increase the use of non-sugar sweeteners, the Institute of Policy Studies has found, highlighting gaps in current policies that lead to misleading labels and tax loopholes.

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IPS called for updating labels, expanding taxes to include NSS, implementing school bans on NSS products, and increasing public awareness.

Sri Lanka introduced a Traffic Light Labelling (TLL) system indicating high (red), medium (amber), and low (green) sugar levels, alongside a sugar-based excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs).

However, IPS pointed out, as manufacturers reformulate beverages to meet sugar thresholds, a new issue has emerged - the rapid rise of non-sugar sweeteners (NSS) in "low sugar" products.

"Countries like Chile, France, India, the Philippines, and Portugal have expanded SSB taxes to include drinks containing artificial sweeteners, not just added sugar.

"This discourages excessive consumption of both sugary and artificially sweetened beverages. For example, the Philippines applies a volume-based excise tax on SSBS containing sugar and artificial sweeteners, with both sugar and NSS subject to taxation." The full article is reproduced below: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) accounting for nearly 75% of all deaths, have emerged as a major health challenge in Sri Lanka over the past few decades.

Unhealthy dietary patterns - including excessive intake of sugar, salt, and fats - continue to play a significant role in this escalating issue. To curb excessive sugar consumption, Sri Lanka introduced a Traffic Light Labelling (TLL) system indicating high (red), medium (amber), and low (green) sugar levels, alongside a sugar-based excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs).

However, as manufacturers reformulate beverages to meet sugar thresholds, a new issue has emerged - the rapid rise of non-sugar sweeteners (NSS) in "low sugar" products. This blog discusses how Sri Lanka can strengthen its SSB policies to respond to this evolving challenge.