The beginning of the year 2026 will mark a definitive turning point for the budget of Colombian households. It is not just about annual inflation or the adjustment of the minimum wage; This time, the blow comes hand in hand with the final phase of Law 2277 of 2022, better known as the Tax Reform of the Government of Gustavo Petro, which established the so-called “Healthy Taxes” for the Mecatos.

As of January 1, 2026, ultra-processed foods and sugary drinks will reach the maximum tax level provided for by law. What began in 2023 as a gradual increase is now reaching its ceiling, directly affecting the cost of such everyday products as sodas, packet chips, sausages and industrial pastries, known as traditional mecatos.

The end of the transition: Why are they rising now?

The implementation of these taxes was designed in a phased manner to allow both the industry and the consumer to adapt. However, 2026 represents the end of that truce.

For ultra-processed foods, the tax started at 10% in 2023, rose to 15% in 2024 and 2025, and finally, from the first second of 2026, it will stand at 20%. This means that one in every five pesos of the value of these products will correspond clearly to this tax.

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For their part, sugary drinks have a different logic based on the sugar content per 100 milliliters. Products that exceed 10 grams of sugar per 100 ml will see a substantial increase in the rate per liter, consolidating a scheme that seeks to discourage the massive consumption of these liquids.

The products that will feel the “hit” the most

If you are one of those who frequently shops in neighborhood stores or large stores, you should know that the list of affected items and products is extensive. According to the guidelines of the DIAN and the Ministry of Health, the tax falls on those products with excess salt, saturated fats and added sugars.

In the ultra-processed basket:

Snacks and snacks, known as mecatos: French fries, packet pork rinds, cheese cubes and nut mixes with sweet or savory toppings.

Sausages: Sausages, hams, mortadella and chorizo ​​(except for some traditional products with low additions).

Confectionery: Chocolates, bonbons, filled cookies and industrial ice creams.

Industrial bakery: Ponqués, boxed breads (sliced) with high levels of sodium or preservatives and packaged pastries.

In drinks:

Sodas of all brands.

Boxed teas and juices with added sugar.

Energy and sports drinks.

Sips and powdered soft drinks.

What will happen to inflation and the pockets of Colombians?

The economic debate is served. While the National Government defends the measure as a public health tool to reduce chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity (which cost the health system billions), trade unions and the industry express their concern.

Neighborhood shopkeepers, who represent 60% of the sales of these products in strata 1, 2 and 3, fear a drop in their income. By increasing the base price, consumption tends to contract, or worse still, the consumer must sacrifice other products in the basic basket to be able to afford these “tastes” that are now a luxury.

The Ministry of Health has been emphatic: Colombia seeks to follow in the footsteps of Mexico and Chile, where these types of taxes have achieved, in the long term, that industries reformulate their products so that they are less harmful. However, in a context of economic uncertainty, many Colombians see this measure as simply another tax burden.

Recommendations to face the rise in 2026

Against this backdrop, financial experts suggest three key strategies for January:

Label Check: Identify front seals. The more stamps the product has, the more likely it is to be affected by the maximum tax.

Substitution of products: Change sugary drinks for water flavored with fruits or infusions.

Buy in bulk before the end of the year: Although it is not a definitive solution, stocking up on non-perishable products before December 31, 2025 can provide momentary relief in the first weeks of January.

The healthy tax is here to stay and its maximum phase in 2026 is an unavoidable reality. The industry has already begun to launch versions of “Zero” or “Light” products to try to avoid the highest ranges of the tax, but the consumer will have to be more analytical than ever when going through the checkout.

‘Mecatear’ from January 1 will be more expensive: mecatos, soft drinks and ultra-processed foods will have a maximum tax