US
Two-third of Americans are obese and New York has taken the lead in trying to restrict the amount of sugar being guzzled by its ever-widening population. Three years ago, the city's administrators introduced The Sugary Drinks Portion Cap Rule or the Soda Ban to prohibit the sale of soft drinks over 16 ounces in volume.
But the rule is limited in its scope (it doesn't, for example, include certain types of drinks and beverages sold in places such as 7-11 grocery stores).
New York's Board of Health was also found to have exceeded its authority with this rule by the city's court of appeals. Elsewhere, the city of Berkeley in California had a greater measure of success, with a soda tax expected to raise over $1 million.
Australia
Australia's Obesity Policy Coalition had called for the imposition of a fat tax on a range of unhealthy food items, including junk food as the country battles to keep its residents weight in check — nearly two third are overweight and over a fifth have high blood pressure.
To back these measures, new dietary guidelines were published by administrators to compel its people to eat healthier.
Votaries of a tax specifically on junk food have been aggressively lobbying with the Australian government to impose a stiff tax on companies vending them.
Norway
A leader in the war against junk food, Norway taxes sugary drinks, fast food and restricts its availability to children.
The Scandinavian nation has been at this for much of the past decade as it has sought to keep widening waistlines in check and control the excessive consumption of sugar and salt across the board. The cost of a Big Mac in Norway is among the top fi ve globally. In 2013, industry and government agreed to a self-regulated ban on all marketing of unhealthy foods and drinks to children under the age of 16.
France
Four years ago, France introduced a tax on sugary drinks that made a noticeable dent in the sales. On March 19, 2014, a report was issued attacking the fast food industry, and pushing for steep taxes to curb its consumption.
"If the consumption of tobacco, alcohol and unhealthy food is deemed high risk in relation to public health, then they are synonymous to considerable costs to society. Behavioural taxation could therefore be envisaged as a way to reduce costs and generate the funds necessary to offset their negative externalities," the report stated. To limit soaring levels of obesity and cardiovascular disease, the report recommended the imposition of a 20 per cent tax on soft drinks.
Japan
In 2008, Japan introduced a novel Metabo tax which sought to curb burgeoning waistlines.
Fuelled by an explosion of junk food consumption, the country imposed stiff penalties on companies and civic authorities if they failed to meet preset targets on weight and waist sizes.
Thanks to this law, obesity rates have fallen to barely 3.5 per cent, one of the lowest levels in the world.
United Kingdom
After much dithering, the UK in 2016, became one of the strongest advocates of a sin tax on junk food.
Championed by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, the country sought to impose a tax of almost 20 per cent on sugary drinks and drastically restrict the advertising and promotion of a range of junk food. According to the UK Department of Health, children are now exposed to 37 per cent fewer commercials and annual expenditures towards child-targeted advertisements have decreased 41 per cent. With over-two thirds of the country obese, more strictures may be underway soon.
Chile
The South American nation has intensifi ed its fight against junk food vendors by banning its sale in schools and evolving a healthy eating manual for educational institutes to follow.
In 2012, administrators banned the packaging of children's toys with food designed for them, even if that legislation was watered down, allowing some varieties to be given out.
Chile is also an early mover to impose a stiff tax on junk food makers and manufacturers of carbonated beverages. Two-thirds of all Chileans are overweight and diabetes incidence has exploded too.
Mexico
If the US is Obesity Central — and slow to legislate on food that causes it — its southern neighbour is something of a fl ag-bearer in this fight.
Mexico has imposed taxes on junk food which will increase its prices by 8 per cent, add a surcharge on the sale of carbonated drinks, with the President Enrique Pena Nieto himself leading the charge. Despite pressure from fast food makers and other lobbies, the Mexican government has held its ground and according to a study from the National Institute of Public Health in Mexico and UNC Chapel Hill, there was a 5 per cent drop in the consumption of these items in middle and lower middle class.
Last week, the Kerala government imposed a 14.5 per cent tax on the consumption of fast food. As part of a move to curb the consumption of (apparently western) fast food, Thomas Isaac, finance minister in the newly elected LDF government, announced plans to mop up Rs 10 crore from this new tax.
While Kerala's taken a swipe seemingly at Western fast food, Bihar's state administration has hit where it hurts, by imposing a 13.5 per cent tax on desi junk food.
The humble samosa, dripping with 300 calories of deep-fried goodness, was just one hearty, yet unhealthy snack to cost a wee bit more. Kerala and Bihar's administrators are in fact following a growing list of countries that have declared war on junk food, by levying new taxes and restricting sale to certain consumers. Take a look.
Two-third of Americans are obese and New York has taken the lead in trying to restrict the amount of sugar being guzzled by its ever-widening population. Three years ago, the city's administrators introduced The Sugary Drinks Portion Cap Rule or the Soda Ban to prohibit the sale of soft drinks over 16 ounces in volume.
But the rule is limited in its scope (it doesn't, for example, include certain types of drinks and beverages sold in places such as 7-11 grocery stores).
New York's Board of Health was also found to have exceeded its authority with this rule by the city's court of appeals. Elsewhere, the city of Berkeley in California had a greater measure of success, with a soda tax expected to raise over $1 million.
Australia
Australia's Obesity Policy Coalition had called for the imposition of a fat tax on a range of unhealthy food items, including junk food as the country battles to keep its residents weight in check — nearly two third are overweight and over a fifth have high blood pressure.
To back these measures, new dietary guidelines were published by administrators to compel its people to eat healthier.
Votaries of a tax specifically on junk food have been aggressively lobbying with the Australian government to impose a stiff tax on companies vending them.
Norway
A leader in the war against junk food, Norway taxes sugary drinks, fast food and restricts its availability to children.
The Scandinavian nation has been at this for much of the past decade as it has sought to keep widening waistlines in check and control the excessive consumption of sugar and salt across the board. The cost of a Big Mac in Norway is among the top fi ve globally. In 2013, industry and government agreed to a self-regulated ban on all marketing of unhealthy foods and drinks to children under the age of 16.
France
Four years ago, France introduced a tax on sugary drinks that made a noticeable dent in the sales. On March 19, 2014, a report was issued attacking the fast food industry, and pushing for steep taxes to curb its consumption.
"If the consumption of tobacco, alcohol and unhealthy food is deemed high risk in relation to public health, then they are synonymous to considerable costs to society. Behavioural taxation could therefore be envisaged as a way to reduce costs and generate the funds necessary to offset their negative externalities," the report stated. To limit soaring levels of obesity and cardiovascular disease, the report recommended the imposition of a 20 per cent tax on soft drinks.
Japan
In 2008, Japan introduced a novel Metabo tax which sought to curb burgeoning waistlines.
Fuelled by an explosion of junk food consumption, the country imposed stiff penalties on companies and civic authorities if they failed to meet preset targets on weight and waist sizes.
Thanks to this law, obesity rates have fallen to barely 3.5 per cent, one of the lowest levels in the world.
United Kingdom
After much dithering, the UK in 2016, became one of the strongest advocates of a sin tax on junk food.
Championed by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, the country sought to impose a tax of almost 20 per cent on sugary drinks and drastically restrict the advertising and promotion of a range of junk food. According to the UK Department of Health, children are now exposed to 37 per cent fewer commercials and annual expenditures towards child-targeted advertisements have decreased 41 per cent. With over-two thirds of the country obese, more strictures may be underway soon.
Chile
The South American nation has intensifi ed its fight against junk food vendors by banning its sale in schools and evolving a healthy eating manual for educational institutes to follow.
In 2012, administrators banned the packaging of children's toys with food designed for them, even if that legislation was watered down, allowing some varieties to be given out.
Chile is also an early mover to impose a stiff tax on junk food makers and manufacturers of carbonated beverages. Two-thirds of all Chileans are overweight and diabetes incidence has exploded too.
Mexico
If the US is Obesity Central — and slow to legislate on food that causes it — its southern neighbour is something of a fl ag-bearer in this fight.
Mexico has imposed taxes on junk food which will increase its prices by 8 per cent, add a surcharge on the sale of carbonated drinks, with the President Enrique Pena Nieto himself leading the charge. Despite pressure from fast food makers and other lobbies, the Mexican government has held its ground and according to a study from the National Institute of Public Health in Mexico and UNC Chapel Hill, there was a 5 per cent drop in the consumption of these items in middle and lower middle class.
Last week, the Kerala government imposed a 14.5 per cent tax on the consumption of fast food. As part of a move to curb the consumption of (apparently western) fast food, Thomas Isaac, finance minister in the newly elected LDF government, announced plans to mop up Rs 10 crore from this new tax.
While Kerala's taken a swipe seemingly at Western fast food, Bihar's state administration has hit where it hurts, by imposing a 13.5 per cent tax on desi junk food.
The humble samosa, dripping with 300 calories of deep-fried goodness, was just one hearty, yet unhealthy snack to cost a wee bit more. Kerala and Bihar's administrators are in fact following a growing list of countries that have declared war on junk food, by levying new taxes and restricting sale to certain consumers. Take a look.
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