26 June 2012
BSDA statement on the call for a tax on soft drinks in
Scotland
A tax on soft drinks is not the way to fight
obesity in Scotland. 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 measures to help address obesity are to promote
balanced diets and to encourage active lifestyles. 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: http://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.