International Council for Beverages Association (ICBA) has expressed concern about the World Health Organisation’salleged disregard of a decade-long, fact-based evidence showing that taxing sugar-sweetened beverages has never improved health outcomes or reduced obesity in any country.

This concern was expressed by the Executive Director of the International Council of Beverages Associations (ICBA), Kate Loatman, in a press statement in response to WHO’s latest call for an increase in the taxation of sugar-sweetened beverages.

“It’s deeply concerning that the World Health Organisation continues to disregard over a decade of clear evidence showing that taxing sugar-sweetened beverages has never improved health outcomes or reduced obesity in any country. The WHO itself has repeatedly concluded that such taxes are not the best or most effective measures to address these complex issues,” Loatman said.

According to her, the beverage industry has continued to advance collaborative and innovative solutions, like broadening access to low and no-sugar beverage options, supporting transparent labelling, and upholding the highest standards for responsible marketing.

“By working together on these proactive measures, we can deliver real, measurable progress toward global health priorities,” she said. ICBA, an international non-governmental organisation established in 1995, represents the interests of the worldwide non-alcoholic beverage industry. Members of ICBA include national and regional beverage associations, as well as international beverage companies that operate in more than 200 countries and territories and produce, distribute, and sell a variety of non-alcoholic sparkling and still beverages, including soft drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks, bottled waters, flavored and/or enhanced waters, ready-to-drink teas and coffees, 100 per cent fruit or vegetable juices, nectars and juice drinks, and dairy-based beverages.

ICBA reaction came a day after the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) said Nigeria was losing over N200 billion yearly to poor implementation of its Sugar-Sweetened Beverage (SSB) tax, warning of the growing public health and economic toll of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) driven by unhealthy diets.