Sugar tax wars: WHO and Unilver divided on sugar tax

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has joined those calling for a "sugar tax" on soft drinks in a new report on childhood obesity, which will put increased pressure on the UK Government as it prepares to issue its own strategy for tackling obesity in the UK. However, Unilever's boss has warned the UK against the sugar tax, suggesting there is little global evidence that the levy will tackle the obesity crisis, citing countries such as Mexico, who have introduced the tax, but not seen any obvious benefits. This follows a move by the NHS to impose its own sugar tax in hospitals. The ongoing backlash against sugar has hit Heinz Farley's Rusks, for example, where sales of the child's treat have dropped by 9.1% due to concerns over sugar content.

Amidst mounting pressure to implement some form of sugar tax to counter Britain’s spiralling obesity epidemic Unilever chief Paul Polman has weighed into the debate by saying there is scant evidence such a levy would make a jot of difference.

Unliver, the food giant behind brands such as Wall’s and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream as well as Hellmann’s mayonnaise, suggested that thinking on the matter by the likes of NHS England was ‘too simple’, citing the case of Mexico which has seen no clear improvements despite introducing a similar tax.