Fiscal Policies

We work with civil society organizations to build support for taxes that make ultra-processed products less affordable and subsidies that make healthy food more accessible.

What Are Fiscal Food Policies?

Fiscal food policies—such as taxes on ultra-processed products and subsidies for healthy foods—shape the affordability of foods and beverages, helping consumers make healthier, more nutritious choices.

Ultra-processed products dominate global food markets because a small number of corporations control what’s produced, priced and marketed—often with policy support like subsidies that make products artificially cheap. Taxes on unhealthy products and subsidies for healthier alternatives can help correct this imbalance.

Health taxes are among the most effective food policy tools because they offer a triple win. Well-designed taxes can reduce purchases of targeted products—especially among lower-income households disproportionately affected by diet-related disease—lower health care costs and generate revenue for programs that strengthen public health systems. Globally, 100 national and sub-national jurisdictions tax sweetened beverages, and 24 tax foods high in fat, salt or sugar.

We work with partners to identify barriers and build support for best-practice fiscal policies that deliver measurable public health outcomes.

Our Impact

Our campaigns helped lead to landmark taxes on sweetened beverages in Mexico, South Africa and Barbados, and the world’s first ultra-processed product tax in Colombia, as well as build public support for action in Jamaica. Public health evaluations in Mexico and South Africa show these taxes lead consumers to buy fewer of these unhealthy products.

Our Capabilities

We help partners develop communication strategies to build public and policymaker support to improve food environments.

Mass Media Campaign Generates Significant Support for Taxes on Sugary Beverages in Jamaica

Vital Strategies and The Heart Foundation of Jamaica used representative household surveys conducted before and after a four-stage media campaign, “Are We Drinking Ourselves Sick?” to measure changes in public knowledge and attitudes about sweetened beverages. Our research found that the campaign improved awareness of the harms of sweetened beverages and increased public support for government action, including a tax on these products.

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South Africa: How Vital Strategies Helped South Africa Pass a Sweetened Beverage Tax

“Are We Drinking Ourselves Sick?,” to measure changes in public knowledge and attitudes about sugary beverages. Our research found that the campaign improved awareness of the harms of sugary beverages and increased public support for government action, including a tax on these products.

After years of advocacy, South Africa passed the Health Promotion Levy—an approximately 11% tax on sweetened beverages—in 2018. Vital Strategies’ Food Policy Program-supported campaigns helped secure momentum, increasing public support for the tax by 35%.

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Lessons From Vietnam’s Campaign for a Tax on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages

Vital Strategies and our partners mounted a nationwide communication campaign—using storytelling, community mobilization and strategic media engagement—to increase awareness, build public support and sustain political will for the tax. Our combined efforts ultimately contributed to the passage of Vietnam’s historic sugar-sweetened beverage tax in June 2025.

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