Over half want to see some of the revenue directed towards funding fresh fruits and vegetables for low-income families
A new survey from Ipsos has revealed that 53 per cent of Brits are in favour of a tax on companies that produce ultra-processed foods (UPF).
However, according to the 2,136-person survey, that percentage would only support the tax if some of the revenue is directed towards funding fresh fruits and vegetables for low-income families.
Consumers in the UK are now calling for further government action for the benefit of the country’s overall health, and to help tackle obesity.
The survey also revealed that 58 per cent support a tax on foods that are high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS), if some of the revenue helps provide fresh produce to low-income households.
In the UK alone, UPFs make up 57 per cent of an average person’s diet, and up to 80 per cent when it comes to people who live in lower-income households.
Two-thirds of calories consumed by adolescent Brits also come from UPFs.
Meanwhile, 95 per cent are exceeding the daily recommended amount of sugar, and 66 per cent for salt. Only nine per cent are eating enough fruits and vegetables in the UK.
The new Labour government has promised to help tackle obesity by banning junk food ads on TV before 9pm (something 61 per cent of the survey’s respondents support) and the sale of energy drinks to people under 16.
UPFs are part of the Nova classification, which categorises food into four subgroups, based on the amount of processing required for each food group.
Co-founder at the Rooted Research Collective and a food systems researcher with expertise in UPF, Marlana Malerich, told Green Queen that experts disagree on the Nova system.
She said: “A study found only around 30 per cent agreement on the placement of foods within Nova categories among food experts, suggesting the food categorisations used across studies almost certainly use different criteria for different foodstuffs.”
However, author of Ultra-Processed People, Dr Chris van Tulleken, said a blanket tax on UPFs would be harmful and may escalate costs further for the public.
He told The Guardian: “We can regulate individual products much more effectively. The companies that make UPFs privatise the benefits and externalise all these costs, so whether we like it or not, we will have to pick up the bill.”
