Deputy PM promises to consider  MP`s proposal to reduce sugar  consumption in Armenia

ArmInfo. Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Khachatryan has promised to consider the proposal made by the Armenian parliament member from the ruling Civil Contract faction, Khachatur Sukiasyan, regarding the need to reduce sugar consumption in Armenia.

During the government hour on August 10, Khachatryan responded to a  request to consider this issue by mentioning that it had previously  discussed by the government. At that time, the Ministry of Finance of  Armenia had proposed to introduce certain regulatory rules. However,  a number of other issues arose then.  Specifically, they revolved  around the use of a huge number of sugar substitutes. "And then, from  a medical point of view, the question arose whether they really pose  lower health risks," Khachatryan noted.  According to him, there was  a need for the Ministry of Health to study international practices  regarding this issue. He stated that discussions had already taken  place earlier, during which  European best practices were considered.  As Khachatryan clarified, during these observations, methods for  reducing the use of sugar in food preparations were considered.   Though they saw that in some cases it was possible to reduce sugar  consumption within the country, the imported goods still contained  high levels of sugar.

"Therefore, within the framework of this issue, it is necessary to  conduct additional research and pay attention to modern trends, and  only then will it be possible to present our perception and proposals  regarding the introduction of such regulations," the Deputy Prime  Minister explained.

Touching upon approaches, he emphasized the need to use all possible  methods for studying this issue, particularly educational and medical  ones. This is in order to give a specific assessment and form a  certain attitude and preferences among the population regarding  further directions for the development of food productivity. 

Let us recall that in 2024, the Armenian Ministry of Health signaled  that people in the country were abusing sugar, which could lead to  numerous risks and diseases. These include weight gain, obesity,  diabetes, high cholesterol, and cardiovascular diseases.