Business Leaders' Forum

Sugar tax is a ‘blunt instrument’ against obesity

By Matt Atherton

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Food manufacture group Nutrition

The sugar tax is a “blunt instrument” to tackle childhood obesity that “victimises” a sector already lowering sugar and calories in its products, according to law firm DWF.

“The government’s obesity policy is difficult to understand, and seems to be a blunt instrument with taxation to solve an incredibly complex problem,”​ DWF partner Dominic Watkins told FoodManufacture.co.uk in an exclusive video interview at the Food Manufacture Group’s Business Leaders’ Forum.

“Plainly, I think the industry will accept it’s got things to do, but I don’t think taxation is the right solution to that problem to solve a really big societal issue.”

Reduction in red tape

Watkins also suggested a reduction in red tape post-Brexit was only a short-term solution for UK food and drink manufacturers. Find out why by watching this exclusive video interview.

The Food Manufacture Group’s Business Leaders’ Forum​ was held at the London office of host sponsor law firm DWF. Other sponsors included: RSA Insurance Group, packaging specialist Charpak and analytical testing provider ALS Life Sciences UK.

Meanwhile, Watkins also claimed that securing labour needs​ and responding to new regulations were among food and drink manufacturers’ top challenges.

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