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Faizel Patel – 13/04/2021
New research has revealed that South Africa’s sugar levy on sweetened drinks is having an impact on the country.
In an article in The Conversation, Professor Karin Hofman, the Director at Priceless SA based at Wits, unpacks the latest research in which the impact of the tax was assessed.
South Africa introduced Africa’s first major tax on sugar-sweetened beverages three years ago and it now stands at 11% of the price per litre.
Speaking to Radio Islam, Professor Hofman says beverage companies have passed on the sugar tax to the consumer.
“The cut in consumption was quite significant, the consumption was decreased by a third in terms of sugary content and by volume. It is promoting health, it’s called the health promotion levy and I think people took it seriously and it’s happening across the country in all nine provinces.”
Professor Hofman says while the decrease in consumption of sugary drinks may have an impact on the economy, the statistics surrounding obesity and its related diseases is even more staggering costing the country 7% of GDP.
She says on average, a 250ml can of a sugary drink contains seven teaspoons of sugar adding that the so-called sugar tax does not include fruit juices, which many people imagine are healthy.
Professor Hofman says the sugar tax must be further increased.
“People have to go to hospital, they have to be looked after, people lose the jobs, lose their legs, they go blind, so what is that costing the country? People always say what is happening to the economy, but the question is do you want to support a multi-national or do you want to support South Africa or do you want to keep the country healthy.”
Professor Hofman says most of the people that have died during the COVID-19 pandemic have died due to an obesity related condition.
Listen to the interview with Professor Karin Hofman
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