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Even though France has low diabetes and obesity rates when compared to other European states and the U.S., government officials passed yet another law targeting sugary drinks consumption.
France has been struggling to keep diabetes and obesity at bay for years now. Hence, in 2004, government officials banned vending machines from school. Several years later, in 2011 school cafeterias were allowed to serve French fries only once a week. In 2012, the government imposed a tax on sodas and sugary beverages. Most recently, on Friday, January 27th, restaurants have been banned from offering free refills of beverages high in sugars and sodas.
The latest regulation comes as a measure to tackle down what health officials called a relentless rise in the country’s diabetes and obesity rates. Most likely foreign fast foods and restaurant chains are expected to targeted under the latest legislation. According to government officials, the law will take immediate effect in an effort to shield the population from diabetes and obesity.
Interestingly enough, France already had the lowest rates of diabetes and obesity in Europe. According to a survey conducted in 2014, only 15.3 adults, aged 18 and above, reported excessive weight-related issues. On the other hand, Malta recorded the highest rate of obesity among its adult population in the same year, with 26 percent individuals experiencing weight-related conditions. At the moment, 36.5 percent of the United States’ population is obese, according to a survey conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Not only France is battling against diabetes and obesity head on, but Mexico, too, added a 10 percent surcharge to sodas and sugary drinks back in 2014 to reduce the alarming levels of diabetes throughout the country. As a result, retailers registered a 12 percent drop in sugary beverage sales. At the same time, bottled water purchases increased by four percent, show multiple studies.
The United States also imposed regulations on sugary beverages and sodas, with the most recent legislation passed recently this year. However, the taxes on such beverages caused massive public outrage episodes throughout Philadelphia, where the regulation came into effect.
Prior to the most recent legislation on soda and sugary beverages, New York City’s Bloomberg administration planned to ban large sugary drinks sales in venues and restaurants in 2012. However, a court struck down the proposal the following year.
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Rebecca McGhee
Rebecca McGhee is a valuable contributor for several publications and online platforms. Having graduates with a degree in Computer Science, her interest lies mostly in this area. Yet, she finds any tech-related topic or scientific topic is a challenge worth meeting. She enjoys turning her own research projects in worthy contributions that reach the large public. And mostly, she is grateful for all the feedback she receives from readers, as she believes it aids her in permanently improving her style of writing, beyond the scientific style she is accustomed to.
