The Government has extended the soft drinks levy to include more high-sugar drinks and dairy products.

As part of the new changes, the soft drinks levy will apply to drinks with more than 4.5g of sugar per 100 ml, which is a lower amount than the previous 5g per 100ml.

Additionally, the high-sugar levy is set to be applied to pre-packaged milk-based and milk-alternative drinks such as milkshakes, sweetened yoghurt drinks, chocolate milk drinks and ready-to-drink coffees.

The move was made to tackle the increasing amount of obesity and promote healthier choices among UK consumers.

Health and Social Care secretary Wes Streeting said: “The levy has already shown that when industry cuts sugar levels, children’s health improves. So, we’re going further.

Subscribe to Grocery Gazette for free

Sign up here to get the latest grocery and food news each morning

“A healthier nation will mean less pressure on our NHS, a healthier economy and a happier society. It’s a simple change that is part of this government’s mission to give every child a healthy start to life.”

Soft drink manufacturers and companies have until January 2028 to reduce the sugar content or face the levies.

The Food and Drink Federation welcomed the new changes to the high-sugar levies.

An FDF spokesperson said: “We’re pleased the government has listened to industry and decided to make the changes to the Soft Drinks Industry Levy that it announced today.  The new proposals take into account the costly and technically complex work that companies have to do to bring healthier products to market and go some way to protecting the investment companies are making to help people follow healthier diets.

“Drinks manufacturers will continue conversations with the Government to ensure we have the right conditions to keep investing in healthier product innovation in the UK, even while the rate of food inflation continues to run so high.”