Unilever’s Polman Argues Against Tax On Sugary Foods, Drinks

Attacking the U.K.’s obesity problem – two-thirds of adults are now overweight – by imposing a sugar tax would be a mistake, says Unilever CEO Paul Polman. A growing number of politicians and others are calling for a levy on sugary products as a way to cut down on sugar consumption. But Polman says the taxation idea is “too simple” and “not the Holy Grail.” There is no evidence that a tax on sugar-sweetened foods and drinks would help relieve the obesity epidemic, he argues. Part of Unilever’s answer to the problem is to revamp product packaging. It recently announced it was shrinking the packaging of its single-serve ice creams by 33 percent to get calories under 250.