Italian government proposal to abolish sugar tax

The Italian government has expressed an intention to cancel a proposed sugar tax, which is currently scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027. Sandra Savino, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Economy and Finance, stated at an Assobibe event in Rome that the administration aims to remove this additional tax burden to provide businesses with the certainty required for effective long-term planning. Savino noted that the government has had sufficient time since the approval of last year’s budget law to evaluate the measure.

In support of this move, the food industry association Federalimentare has joined Assobibe in calling for the tax’s abolition. The group argues that such levies are “simplistic measures” that do not effectively address the multifactorial nature of obesity. Citing international examples, such as the 2018 soft drinks industry levy in England, Federalimentare suggested that taxing sugary beverages fails to improve public health. Instead, the association advocated for educational approaches focusing on portion control, nutrient balance, and physical activity.

Additionally, industry representatives warned that implementing fiscal measures against specific food components could threaten Italian exports. They noted that traditional products containing salt or fat, such as prosciutto, parmesan, and various sauces, might face similar regulatory challenges.