Question NW65 to the Minister of Health
22 February 2023 - NW65
Macpherson, Mr DW to ask the Minister of Health
Whether his department conducted any research on the potential effectiveness of the Health Promotion Levy (HPL) to reduce the level of obesity in the Republic prior to the implementation of the HPL; if not, why not; if so, (a) by whom was the research conducted, (b) on what date was the research conducted, (c) what did the research reveal about the likely impact of the HPL and (d) will he furnish Mr D W Macpherson with a copy of the research?
Reply:
(a) A desktop review on studies related to the effect of sugar on obesity and increasing the severity of NCDs was conducted. In 2016, 31% of adult males, 67% of adult females, and 13% of children under five years old were either overweight or obese.
(b) Further studies conducted in South Africa post implementation of the sugar tax, highlighted a decline in the consumption of sugar sweetened beverages by about 29% in the purchase of SSB and 51% in the incidence of persons adding sugar to beverages. The studies were conducted by Wottesley et al, 2020; Essman et al, 2022; Hofman et al, 2021; and Boachie, Thsehla and Hofman 2022. To access these research articles, click the link HPL implications articles.
END.