Poland proposes tax on “unhealthy” food

A petition has been submitted to the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance of Poland demanding the introduction of a tax on “unhealthy” food products. Its authors have identified a number of categories of goods that, in their opinion, should become more expensive.

This is reported by Inpoland.net.pl.

By analogy with the gradual increase in excise duties on cigarettes in the EU, which should discourage smoking, the authors of the petition propose to apply this approach to products that have a negative impact on health.

In particular, they draw attention to highly processed products with a minimal share of natural ingredients and a large number of artificial additives. In their opinion, such products should be subject to a new tax of PLN 5.

The document also proposes to introduce a tax on products that mislead consumers or contain substances that affect the feeling of hunger and satiety, stimulating overeating.

In particular, it is proposed to levy a PLN 5 tax on the following categories of goods:

• processed, highly processed and ultra-processed foods;
• products disguised as healthy food;
• products with marketing manipulations;
• food products with artificial ingredients – dyes, preservatives, antioxidants, acidity regulators, emulsifiers, leavening agents, flavor enhancers, etc., which may be harmful to health;
• products that affect the satiety and reward centers, causing a person to consume more calories than necessary without feeling full.

It is proposed to direct the funds received from the tax to support nutritional services within primary health care, as well as to prevent and treat lifestyle-related diseases.

Tags: food, Poland