Fat taxation in India: A critical appraisal of need, public health impact, and challenges in nationwide implementation

Abstract

National Nutritional Monitoring Bureau survey (2017) has found that more than half of the adults in India were overweight and obese. To halt this rising epidemic, development of various policy measures has been suggested in National action plan for prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases. One such measure is the introduction of fat tax which is a surcharge or tax placed on food and beverages containing high amounts of fat. Government of India has made various direct budgetary initiatives for boosting the sectors related to the production of items rich in fat, sugars and salt without realizing the potential public health consequences. Hence, increasing the taxes for unhealthy junk foods should encourage the people to take healthier food options which in turn lead to positive impact on health. However, fat taxation faced several challenges during implementation in countries like Denmark, Hungary, France and United States. Major challenges were the taxation debate, setting tax limit and encroaching into the autonomy rights of people. Evidences have shown that taxation alone cannot bring down the burden of non-communicable diseases but should be combined with measures like subsidies and access to healthy food items, public health education campaigns and programmes.

Early Childhood Junk Food Consumption, Severe Dental Caries, and Undernutrition: A Mixed-Methods Study from Mumbai, India

“…These findings support other studies on accessibility and consumption of junk food by very young children, and junk food marketing to attract school-aged children to purchase snacks afterschool [ 8 , 30 , 31 , 32 ]. These food-environment challenges highlight the need for policy initiatives such as prohibiting marketing of junk food to children, adding warning labels on unhealthy products, and taxing sugary drinks and snacks [ 33 , 34 , 35 ]. Over recent years, India instituted higher taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages to prevent obesity, which could contribute to ECC prevention as well [ 15 , 34 ].…”

“…These food-environment challenges highlight the need for policy initiatives such as prohibiting marketing of junk food to children, adding warning labels on unhealthy products, and taxing sugary drinks and snacks [ 33 , 34 , 35 ]. Over recent years, India instituted higher taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages to prevent obesity, which could contribute to ECC prevention as well [ 15 , 34 ].…”

The Escalating Health Threats from Ultra-processed and High Fat, Salt, and Sugar Foods: Urgent Need for Tailoring Policy

“…On the other hand, Mexico's 'soda tax', implemented in 2014, of 1 peso per litre on sugar sweetened drinks proved effective [20]; the probability of converting to a nonconsumer of these products amplified by 4.7 percentage points, and of being a low consumer (consuming less than 355 mL a week) increased by 8.3 percentage points. Meanwhile, India's own 'fat tax' implemented by Kerala, a 14.5% surcharge on junk food served in branded restaurants, has been too arbitrary to affect dietary habits [21]. Despite these mixed results, among the comprehensive VOLUME 59 __ MARCH 15, 2022 POLICY NEED FOR HFSS AND ULTRA-PROCESSED FOODS umbrella of policies in this regard, taxation, even as a limited pilot project, is worth a serious consideration.…”

The role of taxation measures in the management of harmful products, services, and practices in Iran: a qualitative study

“…In addition to taxes, the use of complementary measures (such as banning advertising and banning the use of products such as tobacco in public) can help to better deal with these goods [76]. Allocating subsidies for healthy food, improving public health awareness, accessibility to healthy foods, creating a health-promoting environment, and proper nutrition in schools and workplaces are some of the most important recommendations to better deal with harmful goods [84]. The results of the present study also emphasize performing complementary measures, especially banning advertising and raising public awareness.…”