The Next Phase in the Fight: Taxing High Sugar, Fat, and Sodium Foods

Today (Monday), the Israeli Forum for Sustainable Nutrition will hold a conference at the Weizmann Institute on the regulation of proper nutrition. During the conference, nutritionist Dr. Dorit Adler, one of the forum's founders, will present the main points of the program.

According to the program, in addition to imposing a tax on foods high in sugar, sodium, and fat, healthy food will be made accessible to low socio-economic populations by distributing rechargeable cards for purchasing food, fruits, and vegetables.

"The data shows that while the rate of diabetes in the general population is 7%, in the low socio-economic class, it is 25%," says Adler. "This is a vicious cycle that has a huge impact on the Israeli economy, as the treatment costs for this population amount to 9 billion shekels a year."

Adler explains why it is essential to impose a tax on harmful foods. "The companies producing these products must bear part of the expense imposed on the state due to the damages these foods cause to the public," she argues.

The Israeli Forum for Sustainable Nutrition is a professional organization aimed at establishing a scientific information center for the public on issues of food and its relationship to nutrition, environment, and public health. Forum members include representatives from government offices and organizations dealing with welfare and social matters.

As recalled, according to the previous recommendations of the regulation committee, starting January 2018, food manufacturers will be required to label with a red sticker products containing more than 800 mg of sodium, 22.5 grams of sugar, and 6 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams of product, stating "High in Fat," "High in Sugar," or "High in Sodium." In July 2019, a stricter standard will take effect, and the strictest labeling threshold will only come into force in December 2020, when manufacturers will be required to label with red stickers products containing more than 400 mg of sodium, 10 grams of sugar, and 4 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams of product.