GermanyContested
Tax on sugar-sweetened beverages
Adopted by the federal cabinet on 14 October 2026. CDU/CSU MPs now want a later start, possibly 2028.
Next: Bundestag finance committee hearing, 9 November 2026
Who decides how much sugar Europe eats?
SugarWatch Europe follows the rules that decide how much sugar ends up in Europe's food: taxes, labels, limits on advertising, court cases, and the lobbying around them. We are a small, independent non-profit.
At EU level · Digital Fairness Act
Will the EU stop brands targeting minors online?
The Commission is expected to table its Digital Fairness Act on 11 November 2026. Its 2024 review found gaps in online consumer protection, including influencer marketing.
What we askRules that stop brands from targeting children online with sugary products, through influencers, games and social media.
Next11 Nov 2026Commission proposal expected
At EU level · Front-of-pack labelling
Should every pack show its sugar at a glance?
In 2020 the Commission promised a harmonised, mandatory front-of-pack label. The proposal was due at the end of 2022 and has never been tabled. Since June 2026, a Nutri-Score case is before the EU Court of Justice.
What we askA harmonised, mandatory front-of-pack label across the EU, so that the sugar content of a product is visible at a glance.
Proposal dueEnd of 2022Still not tabled. Court of Justice ruling: date unknown.
At EU level · Audiovisual Media Services Directive
Will the EU limit sugary food ads around children's shows?
Since 2018, advertising for foods high in fat, salt and sugar around children's programmes has been left to voluntary codes. The Commission must report on the directive by 19 December 2026.
What we askBinding limits on advertising for sugary foods around children's programmes and on video-sharing platforms, in place of voluntary codes.
Next19 Dec 2026Deadline for the Commission's evaluation report
In the press
Press review on sugar policy in Europe · updated 6 November 2026
Germany5 Nov 2026 · Deutsches ÄrzteblattDoctors warn as conservatives push to delay Germany's sugar tax by a yearRead · DE
Germany5 Nov 2026 · Hasepost (dts)CDU/CSU leader Thorsten Frei backs the sugar tax but wants a later startRead · DE
Spain3 Nov 2026 · LegalTodaySpain limits sugary foods and drinks in hospitals, care homes and nurseriesRead · ES
Italy26 Oct 2026 · QuiFinanzaItaly weighs a ninth delay of its sugar tax, to 1 July 2027Read · IT
France23 Oct 2026 · AFP via Sud RadioFrench MPs reject the social security budget, which now goes to the SenateRead · FR
Netherlands7 Oct 2026 · TaxliveDutch health institute RIVM assesses two designs for a sugar tax on foodRead · NL
Headlines summarised in English by SugarWatch Europe. Links open the original articles. Illustrative photos: Unsplash.
On our radar
Status at 6 November 2026 · All 11 filesFranceIn the Senate
Levy extended to sugary foods
The National Assembly rejected the whole bill on 23 October 2026, so the Senate examines the government's original text, levy included.
Next: Senate vote 18 November; deadline 26 November
EUIn court
Nutri-Score and front-of-pack labels
Case referred to the EU Court of Justice on 16 June 2026.
Next: Court of Justice ruling
ItalyPostponed
Tax on sugar-sweetened beverages
Postponed eight times since 2020. The 2027 budget bill would delay it a ninth time, to 1 July 2027.
Next: Parliament votes the budget, December 2026
Why added sugars
The World Health Organization recommends keeping free sugars below 10% of daily energy intake, and ideally below 5%. Surveys in Europe find that children get 11 to 17% of their energy from added sugars. Much of it comes with the food they are offered: recipes, prices, school meals, and the advertising aimed at them.
Governments decide a good part of this, in Brussels and in national capitals, and children and lower-income households have the most at stake.
What we stand for
Transparency
Who lobbies on which file, with what budget and how many meetings, taken from public registers.
Public health
What the research says about added sugars, including where the evidence is still weak.
Accountability
An announcement is not a rule. We track what the EU promises on sugar and what it actually adopts, and we use what Member States have done to argue for action at EU level.
Equity
Rules should protect children first, and the households with the least choice about what they buy.
What we do
Watch
Legislation, consultations, court cases and national measures, and who lobbies on them, through public registers.
Analyse
Independent data such as the Sugar & Health Index. Every figure is sourced, so that anyone can check it.
Speak up
We bring the evidence to policymakers, journalists and the public, and take public positions.
Independent. Sourced. Non‑profit.
We rely on primary sources first: official journals, parliamentary records, Commission documents and court rulings.
How we work and how we are funded
SugarWatch Europe
An independent observatory of sugar policy in the EU. Non-profit association under French law.
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