Adherence
Fiscal measures such as taxes on unhealthy foods (e.g., fat/sugar taxes) and subsidies for healthy foods show potential to improve dietary intake in simulations, but real-world implementation is limited and often ineffective due to low tax rates and inelastic demand.
Small taxes on sugary drinks or snacks rarely change behavior because people keep buying them. However, larger, well-designed fiscal policies (like subsidies for fruits/vegetables or higher taxes on specific nutrients) can be effective, especially for lower-income groups who are more price-sensitive. Revenue from these taxes can fund further health initiatives.
The low level of these taxes (applied to foods and drinks of low nutritional value, especially sodas), combined with a rather inelastic demand, makes them ineffective in terms of addressing behavior, and published evidence of their effect on body mass index or obesity prevalence is weak.
Why this rating
The paper reviews multiple simulation studies showing potential, but notes real-world evidence is weak due to implementation flaws.
Source
Policies to promote healthy eating in Europe: a structured review of policies and their effectiveness
Sara Capacci et al. · Nutrition Reviews · 2012
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