Most Britons want 'tax on makers of junk and ultra-processed food'

A majority of people in Britain want new taxes imposed on companies that make either junk food or ultraprocessed foodstuffs to help tackle the obesity crisis, polling suggests.

- Denis Campbell

The findings prompted calls for ministers to help people eat healthier diets by putting a sugar tax-style levy on sweets, cereals, pizzas and other products containing too much salt or sugar.

In a survey by Ipsos for the Health Foundation thinktank, 58% of those questioned said they backed the introduction of a tax on organisations that produce foods high in sugar or salt, with some of the revenue to be used to buy fresh fruit and vegetables for poor families.

Ipsos found that 53% favoured imposing a tax on companies that make ultra-processed food, such as ham and mass-produced bread.

On taxing junk food producers, only 19% of the 2,136 adults surveyed were opposed to the idea and 20% did not know. A larger number (24%) were opposed to ultra-processed food manufacturers facing taxes.