A New Study Proposes ‘Cost-Neutral’ Food Taxes

A new study published in Ecological Economics suggests a “cost-neutral” approach to promoting healthier, more sustainable diets—by taxing foods that harm both human health and the climate while removing taxes on healthier options. Using Swedish data, researchers modeled taxes on sugary drinks, beef, lamb, pork, and processed meats, offset by tax cuts on fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains.

The proposed system could prevent about 700 premature deaths annually in Sweden and significantly reduce food-related emissions. While the study’s authors say findings apply to other high-income countries, they acknowledge that implementing similar measures in the U.S. would face major political and public hurdles. Read the study here.