Denmark introduces world’s first fat tax on food

Denmark has introduced the world’s first fat tax on foods high in saturated fat in an effort to reduce the country’s unhealthy eating habits and improve life expectancy.

Under the new regulation, butter, milk, cheese, pizza, meat, oil and processed food are now subject to the tax if they contain more than 2.3% saturated fat and for every kilogram of saturated fat in a product, a tax of Kr16 ($2.86) will be applicable.

The tax was approved by a large majority in a parliament vote in March this year.

The government has introduced the fat tax as a part of a goal to increase the life expectancy of Danes by three years over the next ten years, as the nation’s current life expectancy of 79 years falls below the OECD average.

Denmark had already implemented higher fees on sugar, chocolates and soft drinks.