Sugary soft drinks to cost more at Hesburger and McDonald’s from today

A new sugar tax on soft drinks comes into effect in Finland today, prompting fast-food chains Hesburger and McDonald’s to introduce additional charges for sugary beverages, Yle reports.

Hesburger will now set Coca-Cola Zero Sugar as the default drink in its meal combos, with other sugar-free options—such as soda water or plain water—included at no extra cost. Customers opting for sugary drinks like regular Coca-Cola will face a surcharge: 10 cents for a 0.25-litre drink, 15 cents for 0.4 litres, and 20 cents for 0.5 litres. The chain will clearly indicate that meal prices include a sugar-free beverage.

McDonald’s has also adjusted its pricing, with sugar-free soft drinks now costing less than their sugary counterparts. Customers selecting sugary options will pay an additional fee, though the exact amount has not been specified.

The change follows a reform in Finland’s soft drink taxation, effective April 1, which increases costs for sugary beverages more than for sugar-free alternatives. The tax applies to non-alcoholic and low-alcohol drinks, including juices, lemonades, mineral waters, energy drinks, and coffee-based beverages.

Ieva Salmela, Hesburger’s director of communications and international marketing, stated in a press release that the tax hike has raised costs for sugary drinks. The government aims to promote healthier consumption through the tax, which is expected to generate approximately €110 million in additional annual revenue.