http://society.guardian.co.uk/publi...1151421,00.html

Fat tax on burgers proposed

Sarah Hall, political correspondent
Thursday February 19, 2004
The Guardian

Burgers, cheese, crisps and whole milk could be hit by a "fat tax" under Downing Street proposals to tackle obesity.

The prime minister's strategy unit has suggested that food of poor nutritional value could be subject to the extra duty, or VAT, as a means of "signalling to society that nutritional content in food is important".

In a separate move, labelling or even warnings could be applied to food packaging to flag up its junk content.

The proposals have been mooted in a paper, entitled Personal Responsibility and Changing Behaviour. The document, completed two weeks ago, follows the discovery that the number of obese people has soared from less than 10% of the population in the 1980s to more than 20% in 2001.

The document says that, while drugs can mitigate risks such as cardiovascular disease associated with obesity, its main causes are "poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle".

A national sports campaign is suggested, as well as proposals to "reform the marketing practices of some parts of the fast food and confec tionery industries through labellings and, in some cases, warnings".

Most controversially, the unit says: "There might even be potential to consider fiscal measures - a "fatty food tax".

VAT is currently levied at 17.5% on many foods associated with obesity, such as fizzy drinks and ice cream. But burgers bought in supermarkets are exempt, as are foods high in saturated fats such as butter, hard cheeses and full-fat milk.

A Downing Street spokeswoman said yesterday the document had not yet been put to Tony Blair.