In a first, Kerala imposes 14.5% 'fat tax' on junk food

[ranjeet]

In a first-of-its-kind move in the country, Kerala has introduced a ‘fat tax’ on the consumption of junk food items like pizzas and burgers sold through branded restaurants.

The newly-elected LDF government imposed 14.5% tax onbranded restaurants selling items like tacos, pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, among others. The announcement was made by state finance minister Thomas Isaac as a part of the newly-elected LDF government’s first State Budget presentation after being elected to power.

Multi-national fast food chains like McDonalds, Pizza etc. are set to be hit on the back of the new tax imposition.

Meanwhile, the state government has also made consumption of ready-to-eat chapatis dearer with the introduction of 5% tax on wheat products in packets. Along with this, 5% tax has been imposed on packaged basmati rice and coconut oil. Disposable glasses made out of plastic are set to be taxed at a whopping 20%.

The introduction of fat tax, as a measure to curb the consumption of junk food among people, has been a matter of global debate. Some countries like Denmark and Hungary even implemented it. Denmark, however, scrapped it later.
http://www.business-standard.com/ar...14-5-fat-tax-on-junk-food-116070800480_1.html

No more Shakeela?

 

[Nilgiri]

More govt interference with freedom of choice.

No more Shakeela?

You like them like that?

@Levina

 

[Levina]

Kerala has introduced a ‘fat tax’ on the consumption of junk food items like pizzas and burgers sold through branded restaurants

I don't eat it, so it hardly matters.
Btw, I support this decision. My ppl better switch to some healthy diet.

I also heard that stamp papers and cars are gonna cost more from now onwards. So any land deals and car purchase would cost me more than I thought. Sigh.

No more Shakeela?

Why?
She's our governor Nooh?

More govt interference with freedom of choice.

What's wrong???

You like them like that?

@Levina

Gosh!
Is that what @ranjeet meant???
These are ppl who have spoiled the name "mallu".

 

[Nilgiri]

What's wrong???

What's wrong is that the govt shouldn't be in business of doing shakedowns.

Its much better to attack this through education and awareness of health related issues with clear scientific backing.

I am speaking in theory of course. Indians are still very ignorant and govt is not interested in sustained quality education matters for general public....so maybe taxes are the practical neccessary evil to cut down on the diabetes, high BP and cholesterol issues etc that are taking their toll in India more and more.

 

[Indika]

In a first-of-its-kind move in the country, Kerala has introduced a ‘fat tax’ on the consumption of junk food items like pizzas and burgers sold through branded restaurants.

The newly-elected LDF government imposed 14.5% tax onbranded restaurants selling items like tacos, pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, among others. The announcement was made by state finance minister Thomas Isaac as a part of the newly-elected LDF government’s first State Budget presentation after being elected to power.

Multi-national fast food chains like McDonalds, Pizza etc. are set to be hit on the back of the new tax imposition.

Meanwhile, the state government has also made consumption of ready-to-eat chapatis dearer with the introduction of 5% tax on wheat products in packets. Along with this, 5% tax has been imposed on packaged basmati rice and coconut oil. Disposable glasses made out of plastic are set to be taxed at a whopping 20%.

The introduction of fat tax, as a measure to curb the consumption of junk food among people, has been a matter of global debate. Some countries like Denmark and Hungary even implemented it. Denmark, however, scrapped it later.
http://www.business-standard.com/ar...14-5-fat-tax-on-junk-food-116070800480_1.html

No more Shakeela?

we need soda tax as well.

More govt interference with freedom of choice.



You like them like that?

@Levina

Well no body is preventing you from eating your fat juicy cheesy pizza. You just get to pay a premium for ensuring good health for rest of us. You can call it as freedom tax.

 

[ito]

Unnecessary...what is fat food is subjective. This can be used by the government to stifle MNCs. Left is a retard party. It has no place in 21th century. I am surprised that Kerla people voted for this party.

 

[nair]

More govt interference with freedom of choice.

What's wrong is that the govt shouldn't be in business of doing shakedowns.

Its much better to attack this through education and awareness of health related issues with clear scientific backing.

I am speaking in theory of course. Indians are still very ignorant and govt is not interested in sustained quality education matters for general public....so maybe taxes are the practical neccessary evil to cut down on the diabetes, high BP and cholesterol issues etc that are taking their toll in India more and more.

Education is not really helping..... You think those who eat junk food are not aware of the issues???? Everyone is aware...... But even then they go and eat....

Now i will have to pay more for my daughter's pizza......

 

[Nilgiri]

Well no body is preventing you from eating your fat juicy cheesy pizza. You just get to pay a premium for ensuring good health for rest of us. You can call it as freedom tax

I'm not a fan of junk food....but of right for people to have a choice without govt interference.

 

[nair]

I'm not a fan of junk food....but of right for people to have a choice without govt interference.

They have not banned it right??? Those who still want to eat can.... But will have to pay more.....

 

[Nilgiri]

we need soda tax as well.

This is actually more useful than a junk food tax since its high sugar intake that is a bigger problem for Indians then fat.

Now i will have to pay more for my daughter's pizza....

Make sure she at least gets frequent exercise.

They have not banned it right??? Those who still want to eat can.... But will have to pay more.....

Tax is govt interference....as is subsidy.

Its a resource transfer by force essentially....so it must be absolutely the last resort.

 

[nair]

Make sure she at least gets frequent exercise.

Yeah..... But i buy it once in 4 months or so ....

Tax is govt interference....as is subsidy.

Its a resource transfer by force essentially....so it must be absolutely the last resort

Current fiscal situation is pretty bad, and govt is trying every monkey trick to raise fund.... So the resistance on this tax hike wont be a big issue,

 

[Indika]

I'm not a fan of junk food....but of right for people to have a choice without govt interference.

True, but our ppl never make good decisions when given freed of choice right ? hence the govt has to step in. I hope the tax collected is used for some better purpose like primary education or mid day meals scheme.

 

[Nilgiri]

Yeah..... But i buy it once in 4 months or so ....

Thats fine then. Junk food as a casual treat is fine. I have seen daily consumption of junk food by some here in Canada....it makes me sick to see it.

Current fiscal situation is pretty bad, and govt is trying every monkey trick to raise fund.... So the resistance on this tax hike wont be a big issue,

I understand....but I am speaking more from a theory perspective. I'm a right wing guy....I believe that govt involvement should be limited to only security, judicial system and creation and enforcing of standards. Everything else basically balloons the dual headed monster of inefficiency and debt....and it keeps getting bigger and bigger and wants more and more to be fed to it.

Govt doing taxes and subsidies to deal with "market failure" is generally a big hoax for most things (its a classic leftist ploy that ends up creating dependencies and short term feel good sentiment with little actual result other than transferring resources and seeing a cut being taken through govt inefficiency). But anyways that is a long topic to discuss.

 

[Sky lord]

This is just a tax on people who don't vote for the left, nothing more than that.

No mallu got fat eating pizza and burgers, these are still occasional treats and only enjoyed by some sections of society. Most people get fat drinking too much alcohol and eating too much rice, chapatti, bread and snacking on plantain chips fried in re-used oil while refusing to get up off their butts for even minimal exercise. Most middle aged folk would rather be stoned than walk a mile.

How are burgers any less healthy than the fat laden Kerala porotta which no one would dare to tax!

 

[Nilgiri]

True, but our ppl never make good decisions when given freed of choice right ? hence the govt has to step in. I hope the tax collected is used for some better purpose like primary education or mid day meals scheme.

The power has to be rationalised...and I am fine with that. I am speaking from theoretical perspective that we should be aiming towards in the long run (i.e high quality levels of education and awareness). Taxes are short term fixes...and they should not distract from the long term goal....because govt interference in the free market is an unhealthy thing. Its like taking a pain killer for some pain....you want to solve the root cause of the pain....and not create a painkiller dependency.