A report submitted to France’s Ministries of Finance and Health has recommended increased taxes on sugared drinks, alcohol and “unhealthy” foods as part of a programme to combat obesity.
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The report, undertaken by two state agencies, the Inspection générale des finances (Igs) and l’Inspection générale des affaires sociales (Igas), proposes a rise in VAT from 5.5% to 19.6% on foods deemed “too fatty, too sweet, too salty and which are not strictly necessary.”
However, France’s budget minister, Eric Woerth, emphasised his opposition to what would amount to a nutritional tax.
“It’s out of the question to increase VAT on food products especially at a time when French consumers are experiencing difficulties with their purchasing power,” Worth underlined at a press briefing.
“This is not a government report but one drawn up by experts,” he said, insisting it was not a policy document.
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By GlobalDataHowever, the report will be debated in the national assembly.
