The Fatty French Food Tax
Person enjoying food in French park
The French have been dealing with obesity issues for quite a while now. The biggest of which is the issue of child obesity. So now, in light of all of this an Expert Report written by the France's investigation agencies on social affairs and on finances has suggested a tax on certain fattening foods.
The foods in question are those with high fat, sugar, or salt content. So far the suggested tax has been met with it's fair share of opposition. Previous government efforts to improve public health have included posters in subways suggesting to people to take the stairs opposed to elevators.
The Expert Report has suggested a raise in tax on certain foods from the current 5.5 cents to a much greater 19.6 cents. The money raised by this would potentially go to the deficit that exists in the French Health Care System.
One of the major leader's of opposition against this tax is Budget Minister Eric Woerth. He has been quoted on saying, : "It is out of the question to raise sales taxes on food products, even more so given the context of the French's population purchasing power."
France is already facing issues with the decreased purchasing power of the general population. Caused by inflation and stagnant salaries. This has also been effected by already existing raises in the price of food and gas. Current President Nicolas Sarkozy's conservative government is working to make good on their campaign promise to improve France's spending power.
This suggested tax has caused many countries around the world to bring up the issue of obesity and more specifically, obesity in young children. Many countries including Canada, New Zealand, Germany, and Poland are considering similar taxes. Most however are waiting to see how the tax goes over in France, hoping to see how effective it is their. That is, if the tax is eventually applied.
