V Nirupa Sathya SreeThe decision of Kerala government to impose ‘fat tax’ on junk food has triggered a debate on whether or not imposing a tax on fast food will help people make the ‘right’ food choices.
While Hyderabad-based nutritionists opine that Kerala’s move would have a greater impact especially on middle-class people, others beg to differ.
“In our country, the percentage of middle class people suffering from obesity and diabetes is very high when compared to poor and elite. While the poor can’t afford these junk food, most of the rich opt for health alternatives and also indulge themselves in physical activities to cleanse the body. So, a move like this will discourage the middle class from buying junk food,” said Dr Sujatha Stephen, chief nutritionist at Maxcure Hospital in the city.
Seconding Sujatha’s opinion, Dr Mekam Maheshwar, senior social scientist and deputy director of National Institute of Nutrition said that fat tax can make an impact.
“This step is 100 per cent in the right direction. There is no second thought about it. Already most of the western countries are implementing fat tax and it is actually making an impact. In India, adolescents believe that there is an association between eating habits and body shape. However, there is no clarity as to which food products have more calories and hence they do not bother about the calorie values. When a move like this is made, they will be forced to notice that ‘fat’ made it costly and will try to know the ill effects of consuming fatty food,” he observed.
However, nutritionists are also of the opinion that along with imposing additional tax, the government should try to create awareness among people about healthy food habits.
“This tax is acceptable, but we should first start educating people about fats and calories and make them aware of the effects these food would have on their body. Just imposing tax without creating awareness would not help,” said M Gayathri, clinical dietitian at Apollo Hospitals.
“I feel imposing a tax and creating awareness should go hand in hand so as to have a maximum impact, without one, the other would not make a difference,” said Maheshwar.
Meanwhile, many people said they would eat whatever they want and the cost would not make an impact.
“I might be taken aback when the burger rate goes up but eventually, I would get used to the new price and would continue eating the burger just like before.”
“This move would definitely get government more money, but won’t make people healthy,” said T Sneha, an employee at a private firm.