Paying a fat price

The Bihar Government in January had imposed a 13.5 per cent tax on samosas, candy and other snacks. That would have given the cash-strapped Kerala government food for thought. And finance minister Dr Thomas Isaac chose to take a leaf out of the Bihar model and in a first has slapped a ‘fat tax’ of 14.5 per cent on burgers, pizzas, sandwiches, tacos, donuts and other so called junk food served in branded restaurants. Government sources claim that this tax is intended to check obesity and unhealthy eating among the populace. While all that sounds good there are foodies who vehemently declare that the government cannot control, by whatever means, what the citizens should eat and is targeting only western food which is totally unreasonable. They also snigger that it is not the increasing girth, but the diminishing coffers that has been the reason behind the move.

Sajan is a Software engineer working in Thiruvananthapuram who lives on burgers and pizzas. He is a US citizen and is in Kerala for his work. An incensed Sajan questions “I don’t understand why only Western fare is being targeted? I consume pizzas and burgers and do not like Kerala food.”

“I wonder who has calculated the fat ratio on the so called taxable items. So if I eat a burger that has 20 per cent more fat and later a taco which has 2 per cent fat, will the taxable amount decrease?  My lifestyle is dependent on my salary and if I find that I cannot spend extra on the pizzas, burgers and food I like, my only option would be to move out of Kerala. Each person’s lifestyle is different and the government cannot decide his eating patterns.”

Anoop Chand, another foodie opines, “I feel that the fat tax shouldn’t be limited to pizzas or burgers. If fat is what you are worried about, then you should also tax Malayali junk food like parotta, pazhampori and the likes. This is just hypocrisy and xenophobia otherwise!”

At a steep 14.5 per cent prominent MNC fast-food chains will be bearing the brunt of ‘fat tax’. Praveen Mohan who owns Café 17 — a popular hangout of youngsters opines, “The reason cited by the government is to reduce the intake of such unhealthy food. This will reduce the number of footfalls in an outlet like ours.”

Praveen states that all fried traditional food can be branded as unhealthy and a perception that only westernised food is unhealthy is not a good yardstick.  He adds that adding a fat tax to the other taxes already levied will impact the business negatively.

While the youngsters are enraged, there is glee on the faces of parents and the elderly who have seen their children addicted to western fare, ignoring traditional food.

There are also some who prefer to take the middle path and laud the government’s decision. Krishna Kumar, CEO of Green Pepper, is happy with the fat tax. He says, “When the eating habits of the citizens become unhealthy, it is time for the government to step in. Cigarettes and liquor have hefty taxes so why not these foods? Even if someone wants to go ahead and still consume unhealthy food, they can do it at a premium. The government should be involved in the health of its electorate for the common good. More than awareness campaigns, a tax like this will be more effective!”

Ahaana Krishnakumar, actress and student, is a huge foodie who frequents such outlets, but she too sides with the government. Ahaana explains, “If the government has decided to levy such a tax, I am sure there is some sane agenda behind it. One reason could be that if such fare is readily available to children below 18 who aren’t aware of the repercussions of gorging on junk food, it would drastically cut down the consumption. At the same time, I won’t say that burgers, pizzas or tacos are unhealthy because I love such food. I believe anything in excess is bad and you should know your limits and stick to that. But there are also some people who would not be affected by the extra amount and would still go ahead.”

Priyadarshini, a nutritionist and advocate of lean food adds, “I am happy with the government decision! Kids today are addicted to such fare and homemade food is forgotten. Our body needs fat, carbohydrates and proteins, but anything in excess is bad.  Even if you are having western fare it is the size of the portions which is important!”