Weighing up the fat tax

The number of people in the UK, not just overweight, but obese, is a problem that has to be tackled. Children in particular regard  many unhealthy foods like sugary cereals and ready made meals as part of their normal everyday intake. The future health implications both personally and as a cost to the NHS are alarming.

In November 2012, shadow health secretary Andy Burnham called for changes in the law to force food manufacturers to limit the fat, salt and sugar in processed foods so that ingredients are controlled at the production point.

The Independent leading article today 'The case for a fat tax' takes an opposing view that taxing the unhealthy products at the point of sale could be the most effective in reducing the population's intake of 'nasties'.

Denmark first introduced a 'fat tax' just over a year ago, but have abandoned it because of resulting food prices increases and job losses: BBC report.