Press releases

10 June 2021

BSDA urges HMRC to confirm VAT-exempt status of DRS deposits

As it stands, HMRC is yet to confirm that it will not charge VAT on bottle deposits collected as part of deposit return schemes operating in the UK. The BSDA – along with the wider UK drinks industry and retail sector – bel...

07 May 2021

Bowel cancer study coverage masks flaws

Heavy consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks may raise the risk of developing bowel cancer before the age of 50, a new study has claimed. Researchers analysed dietary and medical records of more than 95,000 women tracked from 1991 to 2015 a...

04 May 2021

Soft drinks are safe to consume as part of a balanced diet

A new systematic review/meta-analysis claims that high consumption of both sugar-sweetened and artificially-sweetened soft drinks “shows significant associations with a higher risk of CVD mortality and all-cause mortality.” ...

16 April 2021

Energy drinks legally required to declare 'High Caffeine Content'

A new BMJ Case Report looking at a case of "severe biventricular heart failure potentially related to excessive energy drink consumption in a 21-year-old man" has received widespread media coverage. As the study authors themselves note...

07 April 2021

BSDA teams up with FDF Cymru to flag priority areas for new Welsh Govt

The British Soft Drinks Association (BSDA) has partnered with the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) Cymru to launch what we see as the key priorities for the next Welsh Government. Together, we are calling on the new administration to ch...

24 March 2021

Circularity Scotland appointed as Scotland DRS administrator

Circularity Scotland Limited – of which the British Soft Drinks Association is a member – has been appointed to implement and operate Scotland’s new Deposit Return Scheme (DRS). The Scottish Government confirmed today...

24 March 2021

BSDA welcomes Defra consultation on DRS

Defra has launched a fresh consultation on introducing a deposit return scheme (DRS) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. BSDA Director General, Gavin Partington, said: “We welcome the UK Government’s launch of...

11 March 2021

BSDA awaits evidence of SDIL's obesity impact

A study published today (11 March) in the British Medical Journal suggests that the impact of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy is likely to lead to considerable public health gains in the future. British Soft Drinks Association Director G...

22 February 2021

BSDA delighted to announce role as founder member of Circularity Scotland

The British Soft Drinks Association (BSDA) is delighted to announce its role as a founder member of Circularity Scotland – a new, not for profit organisation seeking to run Scotland’s deposit return scheme (DRS). Circularity Sco...

08 February 2021

BSDA backs call for hospitality support

The British Soft Drinks Association (BSDA) is backing industry calls to secure an extension for VAT reduction ahead of the Chancellor's Budget on 3 March. As it stands, the VAT reduction from 20% to 5% introduced last year for hospital...