Implementing Fiscal And Pricing Policies To Promote Healthy Diets PDF Download

To address the increasing number of requests from Member States for guidance on how to design fiscal policies on diet, WHO convened a technical meeting of global experts in fiscal policies on 5-6 May 2015 in Geneva. The main objectives of the meeting were to review evidence and existing guidance, discuss country case studies and provide considerations with regards to the scope, design, and implementation of effective fiscal policies on diet. It was concluded that there is reasonable and increasing evidence that appropriately designed taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages would result in proportional reductions in consumption, especially if aimed at raising the retail price by 20% or more. There is similar strong evidence that subsidies for fresh fruits and vegetables that reduce prices by 10-30% are effective in increasing fruit and vegetable consumption. Vulnerable populations, including low-income consumers, are most price-responsive and, in terms of health, benefit most from changes in the relative prices of foods and beverages. Consistent with the evidence on tobacco taxes, specific excise taxes -- as opposed to sales or other taxes -- based on a percentage of retail price, are likely to be most effective. In countries with strong tax administration, taxes that are calculated based on nutrient content can have greater impact. A proper situation analysis, good political advocacy, appropriate objective setting and evaluation, should be part of the multidisciplinary development and implementation of such policies. It is also important in this process to be proactive in counteracting the industry arguments and efforts to oppose the development and implementation of tax measures or attenuate their effects. There are evidence gaps that could be addressed, with more countries developing and implementing such fiscal policies. Lack of standards or criteria experienced by countries and the development of a nutrient profile model for designing and implementing fiscal policies was recommended. In addition, there was a call for a manual on developing and implementing fiscal policies for diet.