IPS Researchers Contribute to Regional Study on Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Regulations in South Asia

Taxation remains the primary policy tool to address unhealthy diets in South Asia, while visual nutrition labelling and marketing restrictions remain unevenly implemented. A recent study where the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka’s (IPS) Research Economist Priyanka Jayawardena and Director of Research Dr. Nisha Arunatilake are co-authors, highlights that weak enforcement, poor monitoring, and industry influence create major gaps between policy intentions and actual public health outcomes.

A key finding in this study notes that Sri Lanka is the only country among those reviewed to consistently apply nutrient-based approaches across taxation, traffic light labelling, and marketing restrictions, demonstrating a more integrated regulatory framework for reducing SSB consumption.

This study titled “Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Regulations and Nutrient Profiling Models in Five South Asian Countries: A Scoping Review of Available Evidence and Policy Gaps,” was recently published in BMC Nutrition journal by Springer Nature. The study was conducted in collaboration with researchers across South Asia.

The research reviews evidence on policies related to sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, focusing on taxation, nutrition labelling, marketing restrictions, availability controls, and nutrient profiling models.

The study highlights the need for stronger implementation of both tax and non-tax measures and greater use of nutrient profiling models to support healthier diets and improve public health outcomes across the region.