Mexico's authorities have the soft drinks industry in their sights

Plans by Mexico's Government to introduce a tax on “sugary drinks” have moved a step closer, according to reports. 

The lower house of Mexico's Congress approved a bill proposing a tax of MXN1 (US$0.08) per litre of “sugar-sweetened” beverage late last week, the New York Times has reported. The bill, first unveiled last month, also includes a tax on concentrates, powders, syrups, essences and flavour extracts based on the volume of sugar-flavoured beverage that these items would produce.

A so-called “junk food tax” of 5% on snacks and candy was also approved last week. The country's Senate will examine the bill next week, it was reported. 

The measures are seen by the Government as a way to tackle Mexico's problems with obesity and diabetes.

Last month Coca-Cola's Mexico unit said it is wrong to single out soft drinks as the cause of the problems, after a separate campaign targeting the sector was launched.