In June 2018, the Australian Beverages Council announced a pledge that will see the non-alcoholic beverage industry commit to a 20 per cent reduction in sugar across the industry’s portfolio by 2025.

There are two tiers to the Sugar Reduction Pledge – Signatories and Supporters

Supporters

The Australian Beverages Council is also committed to establishing a second tier of the Sugar Reduction Pledge, specifically for those Members that are unable to sign up to the 20 per cent reduction, but that wish to commit to a range of other initiatives in support of the Pledge’s overarching objective to help people choose a drink with less, low or no sugar as a way to supporting a healthy lifestyle.

Supporter Members that become a part of the second tier may, in time, transition from the second to the first tier of the initiative and become a Signatory Member.

Participating in the Supporter Tier is a clear and identifiable example of a Member taking a proactive role by, for example, providing more choice for people, while continuing to provide great tasting and refreshing drinks.

Supporter Members will undertake a range of measurable activities, which will be subject to rigorous and regular review.

Supporter Member Measurement

As with the other tier, Supporter Members will use a variety of levers or instruments to demonstrate their support for the intent of the Sugar Reduction Pledge, including:

• Reformulating existing products;
• Increasing the volume sales of low and no sugar varieties;
• Introducing additional low and no sugar varieties into the market by 2020 and 2025;
• Encouraging sales through the promotion and marketing of low or no sugar varieties;
• Introducing smaller pack sizes or reducing average container sizes;
• Promoting consumption of bottled water by young Australians and only milk and water for the very young;
• A cap in sugar content on all existing drinks brands;
• A cap in sugar on new recipes launched in Australia;
• Investing in improved nutritional literacy; and
• Transition vending machines to include more low, or no, sugar varieties (where practical).

Supporter Members will not be required to report on average reductions in total grams of sugar per 100mL or meet the 20 per cent target by 2025 that Signatory Members are subject to.