Fat tax comes into effect in Denmark

Butter and some cheeses in Danish supermarkets increased in price by 50% from 1 October as the country’s new fat tax came into force. The tax is EUR2.50/kg saturated fat and applies to all foods with a saturated fat content of more than 2.3%. Earlier this year Denmark imposed a tax on food trans fat content, a measure also adopted by Switzerland and Austria. The parliaments in Finland and Hungary are also considering a saturated fat tax this year. Hungary already imposes an extra tax on food and drinks with high sugar, salt, carbohydrate or caffeine content. All countries involved say such taxes are simply aimed at reducing obesity and heart disease. The Danish authorities say that all cash raised will be spent in programmes discouraging the consumption of fatty foods and also the appropriate medical research for related diseases.