Seattle soda tax raises nearly $1 million more than predicted in first 3 months (sales, purchases)

[CrazyDonkey]

https://www.seattlepi.com/local/komo...e-13057869.php

In the first three months, the tax raised $4,446,000, nearly a million dollars more than was predicted. The city's budget office estimated the tax would raise $14.8 million in its first year. The city says 1.984 million gallons of sweetened beverage were taxed.

"Our sales are down probably 15 or 20 percent," says Todd Biesold, CFO of Merlino Foods who sells beverage products wholesale to area restaurants.

The tax is raising more money than predicted (for "healthy food" and other socially beneficial programs). The tax is on actual fluid ounces when consumed. While consumption might have been cut, especially in restaurants, it wasn't as much as had been projected (or tax revenues would have been lower).

Vendors (grocery retailers, in particular) might have cut base prices to mute the impact of the tax, while continuing to limit the shelf-space and variety of untaxed "diet" alternatives. Many base-price cuts I've seen have been on minimum purchases of four or more (liters or 12-count boxes), rather than single items.

Just try to find diet orange soda in the liter size. Not available at QFC or Safeway.

[RotseCherut]

Good riddance to this dreadful city.

[joee5]

Nobody should ingest any kind of soda, period. Regular or diet it's all bad for your insides

[thatguy950]

Originally Posted by joee5

Nobody should ingest any kind of soda, period. Regular or diet it's all bad for your insides

Yes clearly it’s up to the all-knowing benevolent government to tell us what we may or may not do...

[Ruth4Truth]

Does this tax include the new healthy sodas, with no sugar and no artificial sweeteners? I just bought a couple at my food co-op, and they're very impressive. Incredibly tasty, considering they only have a light hint of fruit flavor.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by RotseCherut

Good riddance to this dreadful city.

Bye bye, Rotse. Are you sure that Portland will be less dreadful? Out of the frying pan, into the fire? I guess we'll find out via the Portland forum, after you get settled in, in your new place.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by joee5

Nobody should ingest any kind of soda, period. Regular or diet it's all bad for your insides

They just came out with a new kind. Should be available in health food stores and PCC Co-op. No sweeteners of any kind. They're similar to those very lightly-flavored waters, but carbonated. They pack a remarkable punch; I'm surprised. Definitely worth checking out. Good for cooling off on a hot day, if refrigerated.

[homesinseattle]

Originally Posted by RotseCherut

Good riddance to this dreadful city.

Rotse, Rotse, you know a lot of us love it here. I have the day off today, walked around the Arboretum, beautiful, lots of friendly people out. Sorry it didn't work out for you here, hope the future holds good things for you. You deserve that.

[homelessinseattle]

Originally Posted by joee5

Nobody should ingest any kind of soda, period. Regular or diet it's all bad for your insides

It's not your or anybody's business what people ingest, it's about money.

[CrazyDonkey]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

Does this tax include the new healthy sodas, with no sugar and no artificial sweeteners? I just bought a couple at my food co-op, and they're very impressive. Incredibly tasty, considering they only have a light hint of fruit flavor.

As long as it does not contain a "caloric sweetener", it is not taxed. "This includes, but is not limited to, sugar, sucrose, dextrose, fructose, glucose and other monosaccharides and disaccharides; corn syrup or high fructose syrup; and honey."

https://www.seattle.gov/Documents/De...ibutor-FAQ.pdf