16 May 2012
For release:
immediate
BSDA
statement on the call for a tax on soft drinks in the British
Medical Journal
A tax on soft drinks is not the way to fight obesity. No single
food or drink alone is responsible for people being overweight. All
foods and drinks can have a place in a sensible, balanced diet, as
long as over time you do not take in more calories than you
burn.
In particular, while the incidence of obesity has increased
in recent years, the consumption of calories from soft drinks has
not increased and makes up only 2 per cent of the average diet.
[1]
The most effective measure to help address obesity is to promote
balanced diets and active lifestyles through information and
education. Trying to control what people consume through regulation
will not produce the changes required.
The soft drinks
industry helps consumers by providing nutritional information on
pack, including GDA information in a signpost format. Diet,
low calorie and no added sugar drinks now make up 61 per cent of
the soft drinks market, up from around 30 per cent 20 years
ago.
Ends
For further information please contact
Richard Laming
Media Director
British Soft Drinks Association
Tel: 020 7405 0300 / 078 7965 4555
Email: rlaming@britishsoftdrinks.com
Website: www.britishsoftdrinks.com
Notes to editors
1. NDNS 2010 data amongst 2,126
participants
2. The British Soft Drinks Association
represents the interests of producers and manufacturers of soft
drinks including carbonated drinks, still and dilutable drinks,
fruit juices and bottled water. BSDA members are responsible for
the vast majority of products on the British soft drinks
market.