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Denmark has introduced a tax on fatty foods

 
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Last reviewed: 30.06.2025
 
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04 October 2011, 19:06

The Danish government is the first in the world to introduce a tax on fatty foods. From October 1, the tax will be imposed on products that contain more than 2.3% saturated fat.

The decision was approved by the Danish parliament as a measure to improve the health of the country's population. The funds raised by the tax increase will be used to combat the obesity epidemic.

In the days before the fatty food tax was introduced, people were frantically buying meat and butter, leaving most store windows empty.

Ole Linne Juhl, director of food production at the Danish Workers' Union, explained that the tax is calculated based on the proportion of saturated fat in ingredients, not the content of saturated fat in finished products.

It should be noted that in Denmark there is a tax on the sugar content of foods and soft drinks.

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