A recent poll conducted by Ipsos for the Health Foundation thinktank has revealed that a majority of people in Britain are in favor of introducing new taxes on companies that produce junk food or ultra-processed foodstuffs. The aim of these proposed taxes is to combat the growing obesity crisis in the UK, which is estimated to cost the nation around £98 billion annually.
According to the survey, 58% of respondents supported the idea of taxing organizations that manufacture foods high in sugar or salt, with a portion of the revenue generated being used to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables for low-income families. Similarly, 53% of those polled backed the notion of imposing a tax on companies that produce ultra-processed foods, such as ham, biscuits, and mass-produced bread, with some of the proceeds being allocated to help poor households improve their diets.
The findings have prompted calls for the government to take decisive action in helping people adopt healthier eating habits. One suggested approach is to implement a sugar tax-style levy on sweets, cereals, pizzas, and other products containing excessive amounts of salt or sugar. This move would be similar to the successful soft drinks industry levy introduced by the Conservatives in 2018, which has encouraged many companies to reformulate their products to avoid paying the tax, ultimately benefiting public health.
Adam Briggs, a senior policy fellow and public health expert at the Health Foundation, believes that the new government should be encouraged by the poll results and recognize that such measures enjoy broad public support and are likely to yield significant health benefits. He also argues that the Labour Party’s current manifesto pledges on obesity, which include banning junk food advertising to children before the 9 PM TV watershed and prohibiting the sale of energy drinks to those under 16, do not go far enough given the enormous impact of the obesity epidemic.
The Food and Drink Federation, representing most food producers, has responded to the poll by advocating for companies to be allowed to develop healthier products rather than face taxes. They suggest that supporting companies of all sizes to innovate in creating healthier products would be more effective and cost-efficient than imposing taxes.
As the debate continues, it is clear that the UK government must carefully consider the most effective strategies to tackle the obesity crisis while ensuring that any measures implemented do not exacerbate existing health inequalities.
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