A report recommending an increase in taxes on sugary drinks and foods that are especially high in fat, sugar or salt was presented to the ministers of finance and health at the end of July, according to daily newspaper Les Echos.
The report was compiled by the general inspectorate of finance (IGF) and the general inspectorate of social affairs (IGAS) in order to counter the wave of obesity in France.
However, the minister of finance, Eric Woerth, said that an increase in taxes was not on the agenda, in part due to the current rise in food prices.
According to Les Echos, IGAS itself recognises that the most disadvantaged would likely suffer most from such a tax.
Socialist MP Gérard Bapt suggested that any revenue accrued from the tax be spent on increasing access to fruit and vegetables for those that cannot readily afford them.
