Directorate Of Health Wants Junk Food Tax

The Directorate of Health wants to see taxes increased on candy and soda, and decreased on fruits, vegetables and fish.

MBL reports that the Directorate has grave concerns about the eating habits of Icelanders, and are particularly worried about a government proposal to lower the so-called “sugar tax”. The Directorate believes that reducing consumption of certain foods and increasing consumption of others requires government intervention in the form of how these foods are taxed.

According to a report from a work group under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Welfare, about 21% of adult Icelanders have a BMI of 30 or greater, and 5% of children are overweight. This, among other findings, the Directorate says, leads them to the conclusion that greater measures need to be taken to get Icelanders to eat healthier.

To this end, the Directorate believes taxes should be increased on sugar-based foods such as candy and soda. At the same time, the Directorate also wants to see taxes lowered on fruits, vegetables and fish.

Parliamentary officials have not yet responded to the proposal.