Martin Paterson, deputy director general of the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has slammed that idea of a “fat tax” levied on specific unhealthy food types as hitting lower income families, patronising to consumers, and a tax on choice.
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“Initiatives such as the UK food industry’s foodfitness campaign, which encourages a healthy diet and moderate physical exercise will do much more to combat obesity.” he said.
“A “fat tax” would hit lower income families who spend a higher proportion of their income on food and drink. Bullying and negative messages about healthy eating just don’t work: better to promote the Government’s five a day initiative in supermarkets, homes and schools.
“A healthy balanced diet can include treats or even chips – moderation is the key.”
Paterson insisted: “Consumers will rightly feel patronised by the usual “top-down” messages based on the idea that they can’t think for themselves and need to be taxed into weight-loss.
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By GlobalData“The idea that any particular food is bad for you is out of date and simplistic.”
