Overview
- Germany's leading science academy urges taxes on sugar- and fat-heavy foods and drinks, lower VAT on fruit, vegetables and whole grains, and tight limits on junk-food advertising to children.
- The position paper cites the United Kingdom’s levy on sugary drinks as evidence that such measures reduce sugar consumption.
- Early-life prevention is prioritized, including actions beginning in pregnancy and the first years of life, supported by a cross-sector national initiative and stronger long-term data collection.
- The academy seeks legal changes to Social Code Book V, Paragraph 34, so statutory insurers can reimburse modern incretin-mimetic drugs that reduce weight and improve related conditions.
- The recommendations were published on 21 January and have prompted broad coverage and discussion, with no government adoption reported so far.