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Denmark Introduces ‘Fat Tax’ on Foods High in Saturated Fat
Submitted by Dr David Allen on Tue, 22/11/2011 - 18:51.
On 1st October, Denmark introduced what’s believed to be the world’s first fat food tax, in an effort to combat obesity, heart disease and cancer. The new tax applies a surcharge to foods with more than 2.3 percent saturated fats equal to $2.90 per kilogram of saturated fat and including foods like butter, milk, cheese, pizza, oils and meat.
Link to article: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2011/10/02/denmark-introduces-fat-tax-on-foods-high-in-saturated-fat/
As you can imagine, not all Danes were happy about the ‘big brother’ feeling that comes with the tax and hoarded food before the tax went into effect. The feeling from some residents was that they should not be punished for eating foods the government decided they should not eat. You can imagine what the Australian population’s response to a new tax would be!
In fact, Denmark is not known as a grossly overweight nation with only about 10 percent considered obese, compared to about one-third of adults in Australia. Perhaps this is because of Denmark’s policies as they have been at the forefront of laws and taxes to reduce the intake of trans fats, ice cream, chocolate, sweets, soft drinks, tobacco and alcohol products.
It is now well documented that Australia is in the grip of an obesity epidemic. Studies have shown that the only effective means of controlling obesity at a population level is with public health initiatives and legislation. For example, the introduction of increased taxes on cigarettes combined with aggressive advertising and restricted smoking areas, has had the intended effect of significantly reducing smoking in NSW. So, whilst the Danish tax is controversial and would have its detractors, it may be seen to be more progressive in addressing the health complications of obesity.
Monika Kosinska, the secretary general of the European Public Health Alliance, believes that the tax increases should be complemented by measures to make nutritious food more affordable. This would certainly make it easier for Australians to afford to eat well in our current economic climate.
Speak to the Good Measures team if you would like to know more about health eating and why reducing our intake of saturated fat is critical to wellbeing.
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Basically, saturated fats
Basically, saturated fats are found in animal products and processed foods, such as meats, dairy products, chips, and pastries. They are not heart healthy since they are most known for raising LDL cholesterol or simply the "bad cholesterol". That is the reason why Denmark levies first-ever saturated fat tax. All fats in food in Denmark will be taxed in an effort to lower consumption. The Danish tax system will be the first real-world test of taxing a particular food element as a way to reduce or change consumption toward “healthier” options. This is an intervention to promote health, maintain wellness and shun ailments related to fat intake, hence preventing money or even payday loans to be expended due to expensive therapy. On the contrary, some call this an ineffective effort, but only time can tell.
Indeed, the fat tax is certainly a creative tax. While it has definite advantages for both state governments and individual people's health, there are also some discriminatory issues as well as more damage to people's wallets. Well, let's see if this will work.
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