fat tax

  fat tax

As of this morning Danes will pay an extra 25p for a pack of butter and 8p extra for a packet of crisps as a new tax on foods which contain more than 2.3% saturated fat comes into effect.  The move has parallels elsewhere in Europe with Hungary also introducing taxes on foods with unhealthy levels of sugar, salt, carbohydrates and caffeine.  Denmark, Switzerland and Austria have already banned trans fats whilst Finland and Romania are considering also considering fat taxes.

Faced by this turning tide in Europe David Cameron had little alternative but to take the oppportunity to annouce that Whitehall will also consider a fat tax [Tuesday, Oct 4th 2011].  Cameron knows that if the UK does nothing it faces a prediction that 60% of its population could be obese by 2050.  This may not only result in the downfall of the NHS but also of severely damage the nation's workforce.  Will the tax work?  Only time will tell of course but Danish Health Minister, Jacob Neilsen, is quoted by Associated Press as being convinced that " the tax is a step in the right direction ".