In order to promote healthy eating and cut back on obesity, Taiwan plans to start taxing junk food.
A bill is being drafted by the Bureau of Health Promotion to tax unhealthy foods such as sodas, candy, cakes, fast food and alcohol.
The report said profit from the tax would finance groups supporting health awareness or subsidize the island’s cash-strapped national health insurance program..
Chiou Shu-ti said the bill is expected to submitted for approval next year and will hopefully take effect by 2011.
Beryl Sheu, chief of the foundation’s food nutrition division said, “Overweight problems are getting worse in Taiwan with 25 to 30 percent of children obese, and it will cause more strain on our national health system.”
“Hopefully the tax will dissuade people from eating junk food and snacks and prompt food companies to make healthier products,” she said.
If the bill is passed, Taiwan would be the first government in the world to tax junk food.
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