TAX REVENUES FROM FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS MIGHT BE SPENT TO COMBAT OBESITY

An initiative to transfer tax revenues from fast food restaurant to the obesity combating funds and programs was submitted to the State Duma. It is also assumed that the idea will contribute to the awareness of Russians about the quality of products.

According to RIA Novosti, the proposal was made by Boris Mendelevich, who is a member of the Health Protection Committee and a representative of the United Russia party. He noted that at the moment, he is searching for the possibility of making amendments to the Tax Code.

The project has three main goals: to introduce a tax on fast food, reduce caloric intake and reduce poverty in the country.

Mendelevich noted that about 55% of Russian population are overweight. The MP believes that this problem should be brought to the state level and a law should be created to help combat obesity.

In particular, Mendelevich is confident that expanded data on the calorie content of products on packages will be able to contribute to the cause. He notes that it is necessary to add calorie information to the restaurant menu as well. At the moment, numerous sports grounds appear in the country, but Mendelevich believes that this is not enough, since people do not have enough information about the problem.

In his arguments, the deputy also refers to the UN statistics, according to which by the end of 2020, there will be about 130 million hungry people in the world, but the number of obese people significantly exceeds this figure. According to the same data, almost 3 billion people cannot afford to eat properly due to the lack of funds.