The health lobby went back on the offensive last night with a classic pincer movement. Two studies simultaneously argued for the imposition of more legislation to stop Britons gorging on fatty and sugary foods. Looks like it’s celery sticks all round for the Jubilee weekend.
In fact, the calls will surely fall on deaf ears - for now, at any rate. Admittedly, the government has shown a rare knack for treading on PR landmines in recent weeks and months. But hiking food prices by 20% when budgets are so stretched, simply to please the health nannies? That could prove downright suicidal, inviting fury far in excess of the Great Pasty Revolt, something of a sideshow in truth.
There’s been some lively debate from both camps online today.
“Seems unfair to apply a tax to ‘naughty’ food that the majority of the population eat in moderation,” said one anonymous commenter on thegrocer.co.uk. “Perhaps more time needs to be spent educating people that fast food does not have to be bad food - there are other options.”
Against that, user and public health worker Cat argues that the “hidden fats, sugar and salt in processed food” mean consumers “haven’t had any choice for years”.
“Sugar, fat and salt contents need to be looked at like alcohol and tobacco have been, and taxed accordingly so that we really know the risks,” she argues.
Taxation as an educational tool is certainly an interesting thought. But it’s hard to see that catching on with a cash-strapped voting public.
Besides, as has been pointed out on Twitter by chocolatier Amelia Rope, there’s already a 20% premium on fizzy drinks, crisps and chocolate - and VAT hasn’t done much to ease our addictions.
You can have your say by tweeting us @TheGrocer.
No comments yet