Sugar tax needed, say US experts

Sugar is as damaging and addictive as alcohol or tobacco and should be regulated, claim US health experts.

According to a University of California team, new policies such as taxes are needed to control soaring consumption of sugar and sweeteners.

Prof Robert Lustig argues in the journal Nature for major shifts in public policy.

The Food and Drink Federation said “demonising” food was not helpful as the key to health was a balanced diet.

Several countries are imposing taxes on unhealthy food; Denmark and Hungary have a tax on saturated fat, while France has approved a tax on soft drinks.

Now, researchers in the US are proposing similar policies for added sugar and sweeteners, amid concern about the amount of sugar in the diet.

The consumption of sugar has tripled worldwide over the past 50 years, with links to obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes.  Read More

Dr. Jay’s Note:  A much bigger issue than sugar, in my opinion, is the excessive amounts of artificial sweeteners that is added to our foods due to cost effectiveness. Real sugar, preferable organic, does not typically cause harm when consumed in moderation. Fake sugar, however, almost always creates a stress response within. Taxing all fake food while subsidizing real food would quickly change the collective overall health of society.

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   I don’t understand why...government thinks its ok...produce...

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