UConn Rudd Center for Food Policy and Health

Sugary Drink Taxes

Sugary drinks, including sodas, fruit drinks, sports drinks, ready-to-drink tea and coffee, enhanced water, and energy drinks, are beverages with added caloric sweeteners. These drinks are a leading source of added sugars in the American diet and contribute significantly to "empty" calorie intake. Excessive consumption of sugary drinks has been linked to weight gain,  type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, dental caries, and osteoporosis. To address these public health concerns, many policymakers have advocated for targeted taxes on sugary drinks. . Such taxes, now implemented in more than 60 countries and 8 localities across the U.S., aim to discourage consumption by increasing prices. Evaluations of these policies consistently demonstrate reductions in sugary drink purchases, alongside the generation of significant tax revenue that can support additional public health initiatives. 

Tax Policies and Sugary Drinks

Taxation has emerged as a promising strategy to promote healthier food and beverage choices by raising the relative prices of unhealthy products. Current policy proposals focus on two primary approaches. 

1. Nutrient-Based Taxes: These target foods with poor nutrient profiles, such as those high in saturated fat, sodium, or added sugars. 
2. Category-Based Taxes: These focus on specific product categories, such as sugary drinks, energy-dense foods, or snacks. 

Both approaches rely on evidence linking food prices to consumer behavior. Research indicates that higher prices on unhealthy products can lead to reduced purchases and improved dietary patterns. 

The Rudd Center is dedicated to advancing understanding of how food pricing influences consumer choices, providing evidence to guide effective policy design. For instance, our team conducted one of the earliest systematic literature reviews on the impact of food prices on consumption patterns, laying the groundwork for future research and policy development.