Federal Minister of Agriculture Alois Rainer (CSU) has spoken out against the introduction of a sugar tax in Germany. “We don’t need a sugar tax,” he told the Rhenish Post. “Tax increases are not in the coalition agreement either.”
The minister said he was not a fan of bans. “When it comes to sugar, fat and salt in finished products, we have agreed on a voluntary reduction strategy with the food industry that is working.”
Overweight The Minister of Agriculture believes that children are affected by many factors. “Too little exercise and too much electronic media, for example, can also be involved,” said Rainer. He announced a joint campaign with the Ministry of Health and Family Affairs to make it clear “that healthy eating and exercise are linked.” The first discussions have already been held at ministerial level.
Federal Council initiative for the introduction of a sugar tax
Schleswig-Holstein Prime Minister Daniel Günther (CDU) had on Sunday in the World one Legislative initiative to introduce a nationwide sugar tax announced. “A sugar tax has long been necessary politically and economically because excessive sugar consumption causes significant health problems and therefore enormous social costs,” said Günther. He would prefer to regulate sugar consumption without government intervention, “but we’re obviously not there yet.”
The CDU politician wants to take a Federal Council initiative through his state government in the first quarter of 2026. In addition, a corresponding application is to be submitted at the CDU federal party conference in February.
Former Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach welcomed the move. “The introduction of a sugar tax would prevent numerous cases of diabetes, kidney diseases and heart attacks. Health insurance contributions would also be relieved,” said the SPD politician Daily Mirror.
In Great Britain already has some kind of sugar tax. Manufacturers of soft drinks pay additional taxes depending on the sugar content. According to the organization Foodwatch, the tax has already led to beverage manufacturers in Great Britain significantly reducing the sugar content in their products.
