Politics · France · 7 hrs ago
French lawmakers reject proposed tax on sugary foods
France’s National Assembly voted to remove a proposed tax on sugary foods from the 2027 social security budget.
The measure would have covered high-sugar packaged products such as biscuits, breakfast cereals, ice cream and confectionery.
The tax was designed to push food makers to reduce added sugar in their products and help prevent chronic illnesses, including diabetes and heart disease.
Lawmakers opposed to it said it could affect consumers’ purchasing power and would bring uncertain revenue.
The government estimated it could raise about €300 million, while the health minister said the charge on a packet of biscuits would be under eight cents if a maker did not reduce its sugar.
The Assembly approved removing the measure by 86 votes to 58, with some political groups divided or voting against its removal.
The decision is not final: the budget must continue through Parliament and be discussed in the Senate, while its adoption by the Assembly at this stage is uncertain.
French lawmakers rejected a proposed tax on sugary processed foods by 86 votes to 58 during a first reading of the 2027 Social Security budget.
The government proposed the tax to encourage manufacturers to reduce the sugar in their products and help prevent chronic diseases.
The measure would have applied to high-sugar packaged foods, including biscuits, cakes, breakfast cereals, ice cream and confectionery.
Supporters said the tax could help prevent illness, while opponents argued it would hurt purchasing power and would not change consumption.
The proposal is not definitively rejected, as the budget still has to be discussed in the Senate.
- Who
- French lawmakers rejected the tax. The government had proposed it.
- What
- They voted to remove a proposed tax on high-sugar packaged foods from the budget.
- When
- Thursday, 22 October 2026.
- Where
- France’s National Assembly.
- Why
- The government said the tax would encourage manufacturers to reduce sugar and help prevent chronic diseases. Opponents cited purchasing power and questioned its effectiveness.
Supporters of the tax
Opponents of the tax
Purpose
Supporters of the tax
The government and MoDem deputy Cyrille Isaac-Sibille said the measure could encourage manufacturers to reduce sugar and help prevent new cases of disease.
Opponents of the tax
LR and RN lawmakers argued the tax would not sufficiently change consumption and could harm household purchasing power.
Cost and effect
Supporters of the tax
Health Minister Stéphanie Rist said a packet of cakes would incur less than eight cents in tax if a manufacturer refused to reduce its sugar content, and cited the existing soda tax as effective.
Opponents of the tax
LR deputy Justine Gruet said the tax was not sufficiently dissuasive to change consumption and would affect purchasing power.
The National Assembly rejected amendments removing the proposed tax by 86 votes to 58 during its first reading of the 2027 Social Security budget.
The budget is due to be discussed in the Senate.
- Vote
- 86 against the tax’s removal; 58 in favour
- Budget
- 2027 Social Security budget
- Proposed revenue
- About €300 million
- Estimated tax per packet of cakes
- Less than €0.08, according to the health minister
- Products covered
- High-sugar packaged foods, including biscuits, cakes, cereals, ice cream and confectionery
4 sources
Les députés rejettent la taxe sur les produits sucrés proposée par le gouvernement
Budget 2027 : les députés rejettent la taxe sur les produits sucrés proposée par le gouvernement
Budget de la « Sécu » : Les députés LR et RN rejettent une taxe poussant les industriels à diminuer la quantité de sucre
Elle devait concerner les viennoiseries, pâtisseries et autres gâteaux industriels: les députés rejettent la création d'une taxe sur les produits sucrés
What people are saying
Donc non, ce n'est pas un sujet de pouvoir d'achat.
Cet article, c’est éviter la survenue de nouveaux malades.
n’est pas suffisamment dés-incitative pour opérer un changement de consommation