VAT increase may improve oral health
The increase on VAT may actually improve oral health, as prices on confectionary and fizzy drinks will increase.
Recent figures also show that large confectionary companies are reducing the size of many of their products to try and counteract the VAT increase. Smaller bars means less sugar, which is beneficial for oral health. Angus Kennedy, editor of Kennedy’s Confectionary magazine, said that Nestle and Cadburys had already reduced the size of their chocolate bars and Poundland had started stocking smaller chocolate bars in order to keep their prices at £1.
In recent years, dentists have urged adults to keep an eye on their sugar consumption and encouraged parents to moderate the amount of sugary foods and drinks their children consume; sugary and acidic foods weaken the enamel surfaces of the teeth, leaving them vulnerable to both acid erosion and decay. Consumption of fizzy drinks has increased significantly in the last decade and many children now consume fizzy drinks, sweets and chocolate bars on a daily basis.
Dr Nigel Carter, Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, said that smaller bars of chocolate were a step in the right direction; he said that lowering the sugar content in bags of sweets and chocolate bars would ultimately have a positive effect on people’s oral health.
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