Romania is planning to introduce a tax on junk food in order to finance its crisis-hit health system and to fight obesity, Health Minister Attila Cseke said Tuesday.
"We intend to introduce a tax on fast food, soft drinks and candies in order to support national health programs," Cseke said during a press conference in Bucharest.
Nutrition Facts
The importance of eating food and the physiological, psychological and social functions of food.
The importance of eating food and the physiological, psychological and social functions of food.
Romania's public health system suffers from chronical lack of funds. In 2010, the state could have problems financing some medical infrastructure and buying some medicine, the minister said.
One Romanian out of four suffers from obesity, according to the Romanian nutrition federation.
A special nutrition commission at the ministry level will be in charge of designing this special tax levied on food deemed unhealthy.
The minister added that he will be holding talks with the main producers and distributors of junk food.
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Low Calorie Diet | Low Calorie Foods
Low calorie meals or diet include foods that are high on nutritional content and yet have fewer calories. Updated information about low calorie diet or low calorie foods and its health benefits.
Low calorie meals or diet include foods that are high on nutritional content and yet have fewer calories. Updated information about low calorie diet or low calorie foods and its health benefits.
Taiwan is also planning a tax on junk food in a bid to encourage the public to eat healthily and cut obesity rates, a report said Monday. France mulled such a tax in 2008 but gave up on the project.
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