A majority of people in Britain support the introduction of new taxes on companies that produce junk food or ultra-processed food, according to a survey conducted by Ipsos for the Health Foundation thinktank. This survey indicates that 58% of respondents are in favor of taxing foods high in sugar or salt, with the revenue being used to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to low-income families.
Additionally, 53% support taxing ultra-processed foods, such as ham, biscuits, and mass-produced bread, with similar intentions of aiding poor households in accessing healthier diets.
The polling results have led to calls for the government to implement these taxes to address the obesity crisis in the UK. Public health experts, including Adam Briggs from the Health Foundation, have expressed that the government should take bold action based on the public’s support for such measures.
The current health burden from obesity, which costs the UK £98 billion annually and includes significant NHS expenses for treating related diseases, underscores the urgency of this issue.
Majority of Britons Support New Taxes on Junk and Ultra-processed Foods to Combat Obesity
There is also discussion about how such taxes should be structured. Some experts suggest starting with a sugar tax-style levy on sweets, cereals, and other sugary or salty products, and potentially extending it to ready meals and pizzas due to their high salt content.
The success of the soft drinks industry levy introduced in 2018, which led many companies to reformulate their products to avoid the tax, is cited as evidence that such measures can positively influence public health.
However, the idea of taxing ultra-processed foods (UPF) has sparked debate. While there is growing concern over the health risks associated with UPFs, some, like Dr. Chris van Tulleken, argue that it would be more effective to tax individual unhealthy products rather than the entire category of UPF.
This approach, he suggests, would avoid increasing health inequalities while still holding corporations accountable for the health impacts of their products.
In contrast, the Food and Drink Federation, representing food producers, opposes the idea of new taxes. They argue that companies should be encouraged to develop healthier products through innovation rather than face punitive measures.
The Federation emphasizes that collaboration with the government to improve public health should focus on supporting companies in making healthier foods, rather than imposing additional financial burdens on them.
