The government is being urged to consider a "fat tax" on foods high in fat, salt and sugar, in a report which says existing policies aimed at ending the obesity crisis through healthier eating are confusing. In the report, called Hungry for Change, the consumer group Which? calls on the government to explore a range of radical financial incentives to encourage families to eat more healthily, including imposing an extra tax on foods deemed unhealthy. New research, also published by the group today, says the recession has forced cash-strapped families to buy less healthy food.

The Guardian 11/3/09