The government is being urged to consider putting a ‘calorie tax’ on cakes, biscuits and other processed food after the success of sugar tax. The Action on Sugar and Action on Salt company said businesses producing calorie loaded food should be taxed to encourage healthier versions of food.
This all comes after the sugar tax for soft drinks came into force in April 2018 with 90 million kilos of sugar has been taken out of the UK’s diet since.
Campaigners now argue that tackling sugar alone will not solve the UK’s obesity crisis alone and are calling for the funds raised through the tax to be put towards tackling childhood obesity.
In response to all of the campaigners, the government have said they is “no plans” to introduce calorie tax.
Graham MacGregor, professor of cardiovascular medicine at Queen Mary University of London, and chairman of Action on Sugar and Action on Salt, said the sugar tax has been “remarkable and unique”.
He explained: “This has already resulted in a much bigger reduction of sugar content of drinks in the UK than originally anticipated, as well as ring-fencing £340 million of income directly from manufacturers, not the public, to spend on improving children’s health.
“It is imperative that this levy continues.”
Katharine Jenner, campaign director of Action on Sugar and Action on Salt, added: “Manufacturers are simply not doing enough.
“If the government is really committed to helping the less well off, they need to tackle the food industry and a feasibility study needs to be undertaken without delay.
“An ‘excess calorie levy’ would encourage manufacturers to improve the nutritional quality of their unhealthy foods and, most importantly, tackle the thousands who suffer the consequences of a poor diet, leading to obesity, Type 2 diabetes and cancer.”
Reducing the amount of saturated fat could reduce the risk of low cholesterol and cardiovascular disease.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Health and Social Care said: “There are no plans to introduce a calorie levy.
“We are already reducing exposure to fatty and sugary foods, and are now consulting on further plans to offer clear labelling and more support for individuals to manage their weight.”
