Fat tax could be crippling

A leading European health body is calling on the UK to introduce a tax on fatty and sugary foods, as well as greater controls on the advertising of unhealthy foods aimed at children.

According to the European Heart Network such measures are long overdue and countries such as the UK need to introduce decisive policies in light of growing evidence of the impact of diet and physical activity on coronary heart disease.

The call follows the lead set by Denmark recently of placing a levy on foods that contain more than 2.3 saturated fat.

Whilst Denmark has shown that the tax is workable in theory Nina Best, food law expert at Browne Jacobson, believes its imposition at this moment in time would be crippling for the industry:

"The introduction of a fat tax in the UK would be very difficult for the Government to suggest right now and for the industry to stomach. The impending Food Information Regulations are already making waves and the force of the Nutrition and Health Regulations is only just being felt. Introducing a tax on foods which would be sure to cripple certain producers would not be a sensible move. The Nutrition and Health Regulations should have a significant impact on the way certain foods are marketed so it would be wise for Government to let regulators try this weapon first before introducing a new one."