THE Ministry of Health is exploring the possibility of a special consumption tax on sugar-sweetened beverages in order to tackle what Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton described as the health sector’s and economy’s “biggest threat” — non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Speaking with the Jamaica Observer last Monday, Dr Tufton admitted that such a move would be subject to Cabinet approval, but shared that it is an approach that must be considered. “It seems to me that, given where we are headed, part of the new norm has to be to look to providing some guidance around those food groups, which is why the Food Industry Task Force has been appointed to look...
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