Romania is set to be the first country in Europe to impose a ‘junk food tax’, reports greenplanet.net. The new tax will come into force next month and will be levied on producers, processors and importers of food stuffs with high sugar, fat, salt and additive content. Products most likely to be caught by the new tax include fast food products, cakes and confectionery, snacks and crisps and fizzy drinks.
Romanian Health Minister Attila Czeke says he introducing the tax in order to contribute to the country’s health programmes. The Romanian authorities have justified their proposal by highlighting the growing problem of obesity, diabetes and hypertension in Europe. NPNews Feb 10