Overview
- Forty-six organizations led by foodwatch issued an open letter urging a manufacturer levy on high‑sugar drinks ahead of the CDU federal congress on Friday and Saturday.
- The CDU board’s advisory commission has recommended delegates reject the proposal, and Federal Food Minister Alois Rainer has publicly opposed a sugar tax.
- The Schleswig-Holstein motion on the agenda calls for tiered rates to push reformulation and proposes restricting energy drinks to those aged 16 and over.
- Backers cite WHO findings linking sugary beverages to obesity, diabetes and tooth decay, and Leopoldina’s estimate that overweight-related illnesses cost about 2.6% of GDP, roughly €113 billion annually.
- Supporters point to foodwatch data showing 26 grams of daily sugar intake from drinks per person, a Forsa poll with 60% backing for a levy, and the UK’s 2018 tax, which is associated with about a 35% drop in drink sugar content.