Amanze Chinonye
The UK Labour government has expanded its existing sugar tax to include milk-based drinks such as milkshakes, sweetened yoghurt drinks and ready-to-drink coffees, in a major public-health move aimed at tackling childhood obesity and rising cases of tooth decay.
Announcing the policy on Monday, Health Minister Wes Streeting said obesity “robs children of a good start in life” and costs the National Health Service billions of pounds each year. Official figures show nearly a quarter of 10- and 11-year-olds in England are currently obese, while tooth decay remains the leading cause of hospital admissions among children aged five to nine.
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Under the revised rules, manufacturers must comply with the extended Soft Drinks Industry Levy by 1 January 2028. The sugar threshold for exemption will be lowered from 5 grams to 4.5 grams per 100ml, meaning any pre-packaged milk-based drink with added sugar above that level will attract a charge.
Drinks between 4.5g and 7.9g of sugar per 100ml will fall into the lower levy band, charged at 19.4p per litre, while those containing 8g and above will incur the higher band rate of 25.9p per litre. The new rules do not apply to open-cup drinks sold in cafés and restaurants.
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Health campaigners broadly welcomed the move. Youth activist Dev from Bite Back described the sugar levels in popular milkshakes as “completely outrageous,” saying young people were targeted with such products “everywhere in supermarkets, on our streets, and across our socials.”
Cancer Research UK’s Executive Director of Policy, Dr Ian Walker, said extending the levy to milk-based products and lowering the threshold would help reduce sugar consumption and long-term cancer risk. “Bold measures like this… must now be delivered in full and enforced properly to create healthier environments for everyone,” he said.
Barbara Crowther of Sustain’s Children’s Food Campaign called the update a victory for children’s health over corporate interests. She noted that companies which had already reduced sugar would now be rewarded, while others must “change their recipe or pay for the health harm caused.”
Barnardo’s Chief Executive Lynn Perry said too many children were consuming excess sugar and missing out on balanced diets. She urged the government to pair the levy expansion with broader support for low-income families to access nutritious food.
While public-health groups applauded the decision, some critics argued the threshold reduction to 4.5g per 100ml did not go far enough to force widespread reformulation, pointing out that many products already fall close to or below the new limit.
The government maintains the move is part of a wider strategy to make healthier choices easier for families and reduce long-term health burdens.
As companies prepare for the 2028 deadline, consumers are expected to see reformulated products, higher prices for some drinks, or the gradual disappearance of high-sugar milk-based beverages from supermarket shelves.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
