France, Hungary and the United Kingdom were the first countries to introduce a tax on junk food. But it’s not the only way to limit consumption…
The consequences of junk food on health the authorities and governments continue to worry, as they have been trying for years to limit the damage of junk food. She tried in the 2019 the mayor of London, with a law that banned the advertising of junk food in the subways and on all public transport in the metropolitan area of the British capital. After two years it was suspended due to inflation and the limited spending capacity of Londoners. Now it’s the turn of the Colombian governmentwhich legislated in favor of one gradual taxation (from the current 10% and then rising to 15% in 2024 and reaching 20% by 2025) on junk food, while drinks will undergo aset variable depending on sugar content. The new tax on junk food also affects products rich in salt and unsaturated fats, among which cured meat, chocolates and puffed cereals. The purpose of taxes on junk food is to discourage the consumption of all those foods rich in saturated fats, sugars, sweeteners, salt and other components that contribute to increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and obesity. In some cases the taxes are borne only by the producers, in others divided in half between companies and consumers. A bit like what was done for tobacco and alcohol.
tax on junk food
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Why is one necessary? tax on junk food? Due to the worrying increase in obesity rates, especially among children, in most Western and industrialized countries. Obesity is now a public health issue which weighs on the coffers of individual states for billions of dollars. Globally, an estimated 170 million children (under the age of 18) are overweight, with prevalence rates growing fastest in low- and middle-income countries. The high prevalence of overweight and obesity has serious health consequences: increased body mass index (BMI) is a significant risk factor for diseases such as cardiovascular ones, type 2 diabetes, and many types of cancer (including colorectal, kidney, and esophageal cancer). Overweight and obesity in childhood and developmental age are associated with significant reduction in quality of life and at a greater risk of bullying incidents e social isolation. Due to its rapid increase in prevalence and serious public health consequences, obesity is commonly considered one of the most serious challenges facing human public health of the beginning of the 21st century.
strategies
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The taxes on junk food will they be the best strategy to reduce the incidence of childhood obesity? The European office of the WHO published a study on how i prices and taxation can influence dining habits: it’s no coincidence that Junk food is more widespread in the lower-middle classes. In fact, fast-food chains, snacks and in general all processed foods are cheaper than fruit and vegetables, fish and other foods considered healthy. However, taxes on junk food are not the only effective approach: they are needed educate on healthy eatinginvolving all age groups, starting from childhood, to try to change consumption habits. The EU is doing this through a joint program (JA-Health4EUkids), which involves 11 European countries, including Italy. The JA – which is one of the 11 initiatives envisaged by the European EU4Health Program for the period 2021-2027 and which will last 36 months – is dedicated to health promotion and prevention of childhood obesity and non-communicable diseases. At the basis of JA there are two good practices, Smart family and Grunau moves, which aim to encourage physical activity and healthy eating in children and families. In short, to reduce the impacts of junk food on health we need to change the paradigm and approach to food. On their own, taxes may be an incentive but not the solution.
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