BY CHARLOTTE WEBSTER~
Chocolates, milk shakes, and cereals, could be next for sugar tax, according to u.k minister, Alistair Burt. A long delayed strategy is being finalized by ministers, intent on tackling obesity in children.
The welcomed strategy includes given firms an ultimatum to make foods healthier or face taxes. Liberal Democrat, Norman Lamb, was asked to consider taxing sugar as an ingredient so that intake can be cut across the board, rather than just picking on one type of product.
The health minister said the strategy was designed to be quite wide and take into account the possibility of other action in other places. Firms have been given two years to cut sugar content or face a levy.
Objections have been voiced by food and drink federation boss, Ian Wright, who claimed the move would be most unwelcome, a view most likely guided by his profit maximising drive. The dangers of sugar have been sounded on this site a number of times.
Only yesterday, I warned about the dangers of sugar in an article mainly directed at adults. However, the appetite for sugar or sugary food and drinks are best quenched at an early age. The government should be applauded for this positive initiative.
Chocolates, milkshakes, and cereals to be taxed, is just the first step in what should be applied to all unhealthy foods. This way, businesses and the food industry, will be held to account for the food and services they provide.
