28 Sep 2022 — New political leaders in the UK, Italy and Sweden look set to reject taxes on unhealthy foods amid historically high inflation levels that are crippling the purchasing power of the low and middle classes.
The UK’s new Prime Minister Liz Truss came under pressure from health groups to maintain the tax on sugar in soft drinks and uphold anti-obesity plans. However, political opposition that previously supported taxes on unhealthy foods is faltering amid dizzyingly high food inflation of 13.1%.
Truss’ government is delaying the ban on junk food TV advertising before 9 pm and paid-for online advertisements until 2024 – after an initial pushback to 2023.
Prominent political opponents to Truss are retracting the pressure on her government plans, with members of the Labour party stating that they would not impose anti-obesity rules when food costs are rising,…
