Government is Likely To Put Tax on Junk Food Items To Tackle Obesity

An official of the Niti Aayog, center's think-tank, stated in its study that overweight and obesity instances are on the rise among children, teenagers, and women in India.

In order to combat the country's rising obesity epidemic, the Centre is planning to levy a tax on meals heavy in sugar, fat, and salt. Niti Aayog is analyzing the information to determine what steps India should take to combat increasing obesity among citizens.     

What Food Items Are On the Verge Of Being Taxed? 

Items such as non-branded namkeens, bhujias, fruits, vegetable chips, and snack items are now subject to a 5% GST. The tax on branded and packaged products is even higher, being at 12% to discourage and limit their usage. Sin items such as tobacco products and cigarettes are likely to get a 28 percent GST. The majority of such products have mandated health warnings on the package. 

According to the National Family Health Survey of 2019-20, the proportion of obese women in India has increased from 20.6 percent in 2015-to 16 to 24 percent. According to the poll, 22.9 percent of males were overweight, up from 18.9 percent four years before. In states such as Telangana, Kerala, and Himachal Pradesh, approximately one-third of men and women (aged 15 to 49) are overweight or obese. 

The Niti Aayog is analyzing this report in partnership with the Institute of Economic Growth and the Public Health Foundation of India. It remarked in its annual report 2021-22 that there is evidence available to comprehend the steps that India can take to tackle obesity. 

According to the World Health Organization, global obesity has nearly quadrupled since 1975. The Indian Journal of Community Medicine has mentioned in a recent report that India alone has 135 million people who are suffering from obesity.