Canadian Beverage Association responds to calls for increased taxation

TORONTO, Sept. 1, 2015 /CNW/ - In response to Canadian Diabetes Association recommendation for product-specific taxes, the Canadian Beverage Association has issued the following statement:

The Canadian Beverage Association (CBA) believes that education, not taxation, most effective way to help consumers make informed food and beverage choices.

"Evidence shows that education, not increased grocery cart taxes, is the key to improving public health, and the beverage industry has strong programs that support calorie awareness," said Jim Goetz, President, Canadian Beverage Association.  "Calling for a tax on individual foods and beverages in an effort to change public health simply doesn't work, in fact research has shown it to have no meaningful impact,"

The Institute of Economic Affairs in London recently issue a paper which noted that calls to introduce sugar taxes are misguided as levies of this kind have little impact on purchasing behaviour. More can be found here: http://www.iea.org.uk/print/10594

The Canadian beverage industry supports consumers balancing their calorie and sugars intake by providing Canadians with a wide range of beverage options – including many zero-calorie options – along with clear, easy-to-read nutritional information that helps people make the choice that's right for them.

CBA and its members are committed to providing Canadians, government, private and social sectors fact-based information on which to base both personal decisions and public policy.

SOURCE Canadian Beverage Association

For media inquiries: Carolyn Fell, Canadian Beverage Association, 416-362-2424, [email protected]