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‘Fat tax’ may reverse spiralling dental costs
10th May 2010
A 'fat tax' could be levied on junk food and sugary drinks in a bid to reduce obesity, spiralling dental costs and reduce the deficit.
The Food Standards Agency is planning to consult on whether taxing such foods would encourage people to make healthier choices.
In much the same way as tax is applied to alcohol and tobacco, the most processed food are likely to be targeted.
All food is currently exempt from VAT.
The FSA fears that the nations excessive consumption of saturated fat is leading to increased numbers of deaths through clogged arteries and heart disease.
But Nigel Carter, chief executive at the British Dental Health Foundation, is sceptical of the effects of such a tax.
He says: 'As I understand the current proposals, these are specifically to look at fats in food which would have little or no impact on dental health. Other regimes have proposed tax also on sugar containing foods and drinks which could clearly have an impact on dental health.
'At present it does not seem that the academic research around the subject is sufficiently robust to justify such taxes as a health measure and it may well be that the poor are more hit by such taxes increasing inequalities.
'It will be interesting to see the form of any proposed consultation and the evidence which is produced to back up a proposal for any changes in the current zero tax regime.'
Some research has claimed a fat tax could save up to 3,000 lives per year.
Last year the British Medical Association only narrowly voted against putting a fat tax on chocolate.
However, research by the Institute for Fiscal Studies also warned that any fat tax would have a negative affect on poorer families and have a greater impact on their food budget than on richer families.
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