Jamie Oliver's sugary drinks levy challenge to restaurants and government

Malcolm Clark of the Children's Food Campaign, explained:

'Jamie Oliver’s plan to introduce a sugary drinks levy in his restaurants from September is an innovative addition to the Children's Food Campaign call for a UK-wide tax on all soft drinks with added sugar. Jamie's initiative is in stark contrast to the refusal of the government to take bold action to tackle sugar consumption and diet-related ill health, especially amongst children and young people.'

He continued: 'Jamie has thrown down a challenge to other restaurant chains and retailers, and to the government, to increase the price of sugary drinks to encourage families to switch away from buying them, and to pool the additional income generated and use it for projects which will benefit children’s health and their food education.  Rather than silencing debate on this issue – as the Prime Minister has tried to do – we hope that Jamie's move will now take the campaign to the dinner table conversations of families across the country, and increase the pressure on the government to introduce a sugary drinks duty.'

Sustain campaigns for a Children's Health Fund