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Imposing a sugar tax on milkshakes could be a potential strategy to combat escalating obesity rates.

Sugar consumption in Britain remains alarmingly high, as Britons surpass recommended sugar intake levels despite exemptions on tax for milk and dairy substitute-based drinks.

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Imposing a sugar tax on milkshakes could be a potential strategy to combat escalating obesity rates.

Let's Dish on the Sugar Tax Expansion

Looks like the UK government is considerin' a sweet teeth tax expansion to tackle the rising obesity issue. They're rethinkin' the sugar tax, first introduced in 2018, to include milkshakes and milk alternative drinks containing over 4g of sugar per 100ml, such as oat, soy, almond, and rice milk beverages[1][3][5].

It's not just your latte or chocolate milk can. Flavored milkshakes and cartons of milk alternatives, including those bought from supermarkets, will also be on the menu for this sugar-charge[2][5].

Tory Ministers have sunk their teeth into lowering the sugar limit fortax applicability and expanding the levy to milk-based drinks, with a lactose allowance to account for natural sugars and added sugar milk substitutes[3].

The current sugar tax, dubbed the Soft Drinks Industry Levy or SDIL, hits drinks with 5g to 7.9g sugar per 100ml at £1.94 per 10 litres and £2.59 per 10 litres for drinks with 8g or more sugar per 100ml[3]. By reducin' the sugar threshold, the tax will reach a broader range of beverages, including popular drinks like Starbucks Caramel Macchiato, Shaken Udder Vanillalicious milkshake, Yazoo Strawberry Milk Drink, Alpro Soya Chocolate long life drink, Califia Farms Matcha Latte, and Oatly Oat Drink Chocolate Deluxe[2][5].

The 2023-2024 financial year delivered approximately £338m in sugar tax revenues, with 95% paid on drinks with 8g or more sugar per 100ml[4]. However, UK sugar intake still hovers around double the recommended guidance, warrantin' the tax expansion, according to Chancellor Rachel Reeves[5].

Conservatives warned the tax extension would be a harsh blow to households, while Reform UK leader Nigel Farage questioned the government's motives[5]. The industry, represented by the Food and Drink Federation, encouraged the government to foster an environment for businesses to innovate and expressed a desire for consistent long-term goals to boost confidence[5].

The Food Foundation pushed for even greater ambition, advocating for the inclusion of sugary foods in the sugar tax to address health and economic issues effectively[5]. The consultation, open from April 28 to July 21, 2025, invites businesses, charities, and individuals to voice their views[5].

Let's hope this sugar tax expansion helps curb the sweet tooth wave and improves our collective health, shall we? Remember, balanced diets, y'all! Here's to healthier, sugar-savvy choices! 🥛🍪🍦🍫

Enrichment Data:The UK government is currently proposing an expansion of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy (SDIL), or sugar tax, to include milkshakes and milk substitute drinks. The proposals are aimed at reducing sugar intake and adhering to public health objectives. Key features of the potential changes include:

  • Reduction of the sugar threshold for the SDIL
  • Inclusion of milk-based drinks with a lactose allowance for natural sugars
  • Expansion to cover milk substitute drinks containing added sugar

These changes are in the consultation phase, and their implementation is not yet confirmed.

  1. The UK government's proposal to expand the Soft Drinks Industry Levy (SDIL) or sugar tax could soon include milkshakes and milk substitute drinks with over 4g of sugar per 100ml.
  2. Tory Ministers plan to lower the sugar limit for tax applicability and extend the levy to milk-based drinks, taking into account lactose natural sugars and added sugar milk substitutes.
  3. The expanded levy could reach a broader range of beverages, like popular drinks such as Starbucks Caramel Macchiato, Shaken Udder Vanillalicious milkshake, and Oatly Oat Drink Chocolate Deluxe.
  4. The tax on sugary drinks generates revenue for the UK government, but sugar intake remains high, prompting the government to potentially expand the tax to improve public health.
  5. The food and drink industry welcomes the government's call for businesses to innovate in response to the sugar tax improvements.
  6. Critics question the government's motives and the potential impact on households, while health advocates push for an even wider inclusion of sugary foods in the sugar tax to tackle health and economic issues effectively.
Sweetened dairy and alternative beverages have managed to avoid the tax imposed on carbonated drinks, despite Britons consuming an excessive twice the suggested daily sugar intake in their food and drinks.
Sugar consumption remains excessively high in the UK diet, as Britons continue to consume twice the recommended amount of sugar, despite sugar-laden and dairy substitute-based beverages being spared from the sugary drink tax.
Despite the exclusion of milk and dairy alternative beverages from the soda tax, Britons are reportedly consuming twice the recommended daily sugar intake, primarily from these drinks and foods.

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