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Taillie, Lindsey Smith, Marcela Reyes, M. Arantxa Colchero, et al. PLOS Medicine, 17(2): e1003015, February 2020

Policymakers and the public continue to debate the role of policy in limiting consumption of sugary beverages to reduce obesity. A recent study in Chile demonstrates that labeling, taxes, and other policies are effective—consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages dropped by about 25 percent after the government adopted sweeping regulations in 2016, including advertising restrictions, warning labels, and a junk food ban in schools. The results suggest that a far-reaching approach, like Chile’s policy package, could be more effective at reducing sugar consumption than standalone policies.