Do taxes on unhealthy foods and beverages influence food purchases?

Sacks, Gary; Kwon, Janelle; Backholer, Kathryn

doi:10.1007/s13668-021-00358-0

Cited by 19 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 67 publications

(86 reference statements)

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“…Increasing availability would be justified, because the use of worksite catering services has proved to predict healthier dietary patterns among the working population [ 65 , 66 , 67 ]. Motivating workplaces to improve healthy food availability might require government policy actions, such as tax incentives or standards for food procurement [ 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 ]. In Denmark, for example, the government-launched Organic Action Plan 2020 has increased the procurement and hence availability of organic foods in public kitchens [ 73 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Choice Architecture Cueing to Healthier Dietary Choices and Physical Activity at the Workplace: Implementation and Feasibility Evaluation

et al. 2021

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Redesigning choice environments appears a promising approach to encourage healthier eating and physical activity, but little evidence exists of the feasibility of this approach in real-world settings. The aim of this paper is to portray the implementation and feasibility assessment of a 12-month mixed-methods intervention study, StopDia at Work, targeting the environment of 53 diverse worksites. The intervention was conducted within a type 2 diabetes prevention study, StopDia. We assessed feasibility through the fidelity, facilitators and barriers, and maintenance of implementation, building on implementer interviews (n = 61 informants) and observations of the worksites at six (t1) and twelve months (t2). We analysed quantitative data with Kruskall–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U tests and qualitative data with content analysis. Intervention sites altogether implemented 23 various choice architectural strategies (median 3, range 0–14 strategies/site), employing 21 behaviour change mechanisms. Quantitative analysis found implementation was successful in 66%, imperfect in 25%, and failed in 9% of evaluated cases. These ratings were independent of the ease of implementation of applied strategies and reminders that implementers received. Researchers’ assistance in intervention launch (p = 0.02) and direct contact to intervention sites (p < 0.001) predicted higher fidelity at t1, but not at t2. Qualitative content analysis identified facilitators and barriers related to the organisation, intervention, worksite environment, implementer, and user. Contributors of successful implementation included apt implementers, sufficient implementer training, careful planning, integration into worksite values and activities, and management support. After the study, 49% of the worksites intended to maintain the implementation in some form. Overall, the choice architecture approach seems suitable for workplace health promotion, but a range of practicalities warrant consideration while designing real-world implementation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Choice Architecture Cueing to Healthier Dietary Choices and Physical Activity at the Workplace: Implementation and Feasibility Evaluation

et al. 2021

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“…Similarly, measures that force UPF corporations to internalise the costs they externalise onto society should be implemented. Taxes on sugary drinks provide an illustrative example of such a measure [104], and the application of a similar style of tax to a broader range of unhealthy foods warrants serious consideration [105]. More broadly, cross-sectoral actions such as transitioning agricultural policies away from providing major UPF corporations with heavily subsidised inputs [106], as well as strengthening and rethinking competition law and enforcement (e.g., by treating cost externalisation as an abuse of market dominance in cases where it provides an unfair competitive advantage), constitute a crucial part of this strategy [107].…”

Section: Recommendationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

What is the purpose of ultra-processed food? An exploratory analysis of the financialisation of ultra-processed food corporations and implications for public health

Wood,

Robinson,

Baker

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Background In recent decades there has been a global rise in consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) to the detriment of population health and the environment. Large corporations that have focused heavily on low-cost manufacturing and extensive marketing of UPFs to maximise profits have driven this dietary transition. The same corporations claim to serve the interests of multiple ‘stakeholders’, and that they are contributing to sustainable development. This paper aimed to test these claims by examining the degree to which UPF corporations have become ‘financialised’, focusing on the extent to which they have been prioritising the financial interests of their shareholders relative to other actors, as well as the role that various types of investors have played in influencing their governance. Findings were used to inform discussion on policy responses to improve the healthiness of population diets. Methods We adopted an exploratory research design using multiple methods. We conducted quantitative analysis of the financial data of U.S. listed food and agricultural corporations between 1962 and 2021, share ownership data of a selection of UPF corporations, and proxy voting data of a selection of investors between 2012 and 2022. We also conducted targeted narrative reviews using structured and branching searches of academic and grey literature. Results Since the 1980s, corporations that depend heavily on manufacturing and marketing UPFs to generate profits have been increasingly transferring money to their shareholders relative to their total revenue, and at a level considerably higher than other food and agricultural sectors. In recent years, hedge fund managers have had a substantial influence on the governance of major UPF corporations in their pursuit of maximising short-term returns. In comparison, investors seeking to improve population diets have had limited success, in part because large asset managers mostly oppose public health-related shareholder proposals. Conclusions The operationalisation of ‘shareholder primacy’ by major UPF corporations has driven inequity, and undermines their claims that they are creating ‘value’ for diverse actors. Measures that protect population diets and food systems from the extractive forces of financialisation are needed as part of efforts to improve the healthiness of population diets.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…7,8 Tasty but unhealthy food become more affordable recently, especially in developing countries. 9 The more affordable unhealthy food for the household, the larger incidence of obesity in the community. 10 Changes in food price and furthermore on consumer relative income level are predicted as policy instrument to control over consumption on unhealthy food.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Do tax and subsidy on unhealthy food induce consumer consumption for healthy food? Evidence from experiment in Surabaya, Indonesia

Sukartini

Purwono

Win

et al. 2023

Journal of Public Health Research

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Background: This study investigates the impact of price changes on decision to buy particular foods among adults in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia. Tax and subsidy were introduced for influencing decision buy particular foods, especially unhealthy foods that are predicted have consequences on health outcome. Unhealthy foods such as fast foods or junk foods, sugar sweetened beverages (SSB), salty, and fatty foods are reported as one of main causes of obesity incidence in most countries, such as Indonesia. Design and method: Computer laboratory experimental is designed for investigating the impacts of difference rates of taxes and subsidy on decision to buy foods. Taxes and subsidies rate are designed from low (5%), moderate (15%), and high rates (25%). Results: The findings are as follows. Firstly, participants do not respond immediately to price changes, that is, higher prices due to taxes and lower prices due to subsidies. Economic theory suggests that consumers demand for basic need such as foods is sensitive with change in price, they respond inversely to the price changes. However, the finding in this experimental study do not support this theory prediction. Secondly, 15% and subsidies are the threshold and the larger taxes and rate for changing consumer’s choices on targeted foods. Conclusion: This study concludes that low rates of taxes and subsidies for unhealthy and healthy foods make these targeted foods affordable for majority of consumers. Besides introducing higher rates of taxes and subsidies, promoting and encouraging healthy life style such as consuming fresh and healthy foods is another alternative policy option.

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Do taxes on unhealthy foods and beverages influence food purchases?

Cited by 19 publications

References 67 publications

Choice Architecture Cueing to Healthier Dietary Choices and Physical Activity at the Workplace: Implementation and Feasibility Evaluation

Choice Architecture Cueing to Healthier Dietary Choices and Physical Activity at the Workplace: Implementation and Feasibility Evaluation

What is the purpose of ultra-processed food? An exploratory analysis of the financialisation of ultra-processed food corporations and implications for public health

Do tax and subsidy on unhealthy food induce consumer consumption for healthy food? Evidence from experiment in Surabaya, Indonesia

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