ACTUS News

Keeping Sugar in Check

Eighteen months after French Polynesia raised VAT on selected sugary products, the first results are beginning to emerge. Imports of sugary drinks have fallen by 13.5% over the past year, while other sweet food products are down by 10.6%. Local production of sugary beverages has also declined, suggesting a broader shift in consumption patterns.

The measure was introduced as a form of “behavioral taxation,” designed to discourage excessive sugar consumption in a territory where obesity and diabetes remain major public health concerns. Soft drinks, syrups, candy, chocolate, cookies, sweetened cereals, ice cream, and jams are among the products affected.

The picture, however, remains nuanced. While consumption appears to be trending downward, the government acknowledges that it is still too early to establish a direct causal link between the tax increase and changing consumer habits. Another point has fueled debate: the additional 2.17 billion CFP francs generated by the measure in 2025 is not earmarked for health programs, but flows into the territory’s general budget.

For now, the tax is best seen as a signal rather than a solution. Authorities are already considering extending the approach to foods high in fat and salt. The broader question remains: how can healthier eating be encouraged without turning public health into a purely fiscal exercise?

Source : article de Tahiti Infos du 22 mai 2026