Following a higher soda tax, is a salty foods tax coming next?
A bill from Morena, PT and PVEM lawmakers estimates that a tax on high-sodium products could generate about 12 billion pesos (US $116.6 million) in additional federal revenue while helping reduce the prevalence of diseases associated with excess salt intake. The post Following a higher soda tax, is a salty foods tax coming next? appeared first on Mexico News Daily
Lawmakers from Mexico’s ruling coalition have proposed a new tax on certain processed foods high in sodium content, following the success of a recent tax on sugary drinks. The initiative, supported by the Morena, PT, and PVEM parties, aims to generate around 12 billion pesos ($116.6 million) in additional federal revenue while tackling health issues linked to excessive salt consumption.
The proposed tax would target products like cured meats, instant soups, sauces, and dressings that exceed specified sodium levels, as indicated by warning labels under Mexican regulations. This measure would not apply to domestic salt use but would focus on processed foods exceeding technical criteria. Experts emphasize that reducing sodium intake to the WHO-recommended level could prevent an estimated 5% of deaths in Mexico annually, reducing cardiovascular diseases, chronic kidney disease, and stomach cancer.
While the proposal has been welcomed, researchers caution that the tax's effectiveness depends on proper design and whether it leads to reduced salt content in products. The tax proposal comes after a previous IEPS increase targeting sugar consumption, projected to bring in over 76.92 billion pesos ($4.5 billion) from soft drinks in 2027.
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