junk food tax
Unhealthy eating surcharge
A junk food tax is a levy on foods considered unhealthy—typically those high in sugar, salt, or fat.
Like tobacco and alcohol taxes, the goal is to discourage consumption while generating revenue, often earmarked for public health programs: The proposed junk food tax would add 20% to the price of sugary drinks.
Critics argue such taxes disproportionately burden lower-income consumers.
- sodaCarbonated soft drink
- soft drinkNon-alcoholic carbonated beverage
- sugarCrystalline carbohydrate sweetener
- empty caloriesEnergy lacking nutrients
- obesityExcess body fat condition
chips · health · candy · calories · legislation · tax policy · policy · nanny state · snacks · diabetes · revenue · processed · McDonald's · Big Gulp · grocery · childhood · school lunch · prevention
- food policyUSDA, FDA, dietary guidelines, nutrition facts, school lunch
- food taxessugar tax, fat tax, beverage tax, soft drink tax, candy tax
- taxessales tax, income tax, estate tax, excise tax, corporate tax