WHO guideline on fiscal policies to promote healthy diets

A new guideline published by the World Health Organization (WHO) provides recommendations on measures for creating food environments that enable healthy dietary decisions. This includes fiscal policies that discourage consuming foods that contribute to unhealthy diets and encourage consuming healthier foods through subsidies and other support.

This guideline reflects growing evidence which suggests that taxes on unhealthy foods like sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) can lead to lower demand and consumption. Inversely, subsidies for foods that contribute to a healthy diet, such as fruits and vegetables, make these foods more accessible and affordable. This in turn encourages their consumption, leading to increased sales and positive shifts in consumer behaviour. Implementing fiscal policies based on these insights is a promising approach to nudge consumers towards better food choices, making the healthier choice the easier choice.

Access the guideline here.