Denmark Introduces World's First Fatty Food Tax

BY JULIA CORDEROY



Fatty foods have joined cigarettes and alcohol when it comes to paying taxes in the name of better health. Well, at least in Denmark. Euronews has the word on the new policy...



"Denmark has introduced what is believed to be the world's first fat tax. Pizza, meat, cheese, butter and processed foods will be subject to the levy. Supermarkets reported empty shelves as consumers stocked up on their favorite foods, while others say they will just start buying abroad."



The tax will target foods containing more than 2.3% saturated fat. It hopes to increase the average life expectancy of the Danes - which is below the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) average at 79 years. But how much will this tax cost? Fox News has the answer...



"The new tax ... will add 16 kroner ($2.87, or 2.15 euros) per kilo (2.2 pounds) of saturated fats in a product."



Some - like the UK Public Health Minister -- argue, taxes aren't the solution. She tells the BBC...

"At the end of the day Government alone cannot tax there way out of this problem. It is about personal responsibility, people have to recognise the harm that they are doing to them self by being overweight."



But for others, Denmark is setting a good example. TIME says...



"According to a 2007 study by Oxford University's Health Promotion Research Group, if this fat tax were instituted in the UK, with tax breaks given on fruits and vegetables, up to 3,200 lives could be saved."



It's even hitting International headlines. An article on Australia's News.com.au reads...



"Health advocates are renewing calls for a 'fat tax' in Australia, after Denmark became the first country in the world to introduce one."



But will the real question is, will the tax actually reduce these vices? The Guardian quotes one Dane who doesn't think so...



"Knowing the Danes, it could have the opposite effect. Like naughty children, when they are told not to do something, they do it even more."



Fewer than 10% of Denmark are considered clinically obese, lower than the 15% European average.



Transcript by Newsy.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• denmark fat tax
• fat tax
• denmark
• saturated fat
• food tax
• obesity
• health news
• danish

[Lemonz1989]

@Pajstrup Nope, they didn't lower the price of healthy food, they just try to make all other food more expensive... :/

[Lemonz1989]

@SnowDog2003 They have a carb tax too, and a ban on foods with over 1% transfats. :P

[SnowDog2003]

It's not the fat that's the problem; it's the carbs.

[NulHypotese]

This tax is just one of many attacks on personal freedom and the buisiness community we will see in the next years.

[TheVallone]

OMG WTF!!! Fat is not bad for you. High glycemic foods are what makes people fat. What have humans eaten for 9million years. Vegetable oil and white breat that spike blood sugar to >100? Hell no, we've been eating meat. Nature wouldnt make humans the only animal that preferred food that could kill them.

[ku42]

How about fast food restaurants?

[MaglorDK]

dont forget that the 55% that was talked about are from 1kg overweight and up, thay werent talking about obese people

[Pajstrup]

@mikethk so fat people don't pay taxes? such a retard comment, you obviously only think "me, me and me some more"

Do you drink alcohol? then i should bitch about you because i never drink and why should i have to pay for your trip to the hospital when your liver stops working or you need a stomach pump. WHY SHOULD I PAY FOR YOU!

[spyN09]

@Pajstrup - The Danish Government isn't like that at all. Some politicians may throw untrustworthy information out during election campaings etc, however, the media makes sure that what's right is the stuff that gets spread out in the news. They aren't adjusting researchs to make a case stronger; the fact that I mentioned was stated a long, long time before this coming into action. I cannot provide a link because it was broadcasted by news.tv2.dk at long time ago. But I understand you.

[Pajstrup]

While making fatty food more expensive did they then lower the prices on healthy food?