Austria reaches WHO sugar limit by early August, prompting tax call

Foodwatch reported that Austrian adults are consuming about 92 grams of free sugar per day, more than double the World Health Organization’s recommended maximum of 50 grams. At this rate, the population will have reached the yearly WHO limit by 3 August.

The NGO is urging the Austrian government to introduce a tax on sugar‑sweetened beverages, citing studies that such a levy would improve public health. Over 100 countries have already implemented similar taxes; Germany plans a sugar‑drink levy from 2028, and the United Kingdom saw a sharp drop in soft‑drink sugar content after its tax was introduced. An Austrian health‑ministerial study also concluded that a beverage tax would be beneficial.

Austria ranks second among the ten most populous Western European nations for sugar intake from soft drinks, only behind Germany. A 500‑ml cola contains roughly 53 grams of sugar—exceeding the daily WHO recommendation. Consumption of sugar in energy drinks has risen by more than 50 % since 2011, and one‑third of primary‑school children are already overweight or obese, with many remaining so into adulthood.