AN obesity campaign group has called the Scottish Government "grossly negligent" for refusing to consider a tax on fatty food.
The National Obesity Forum (NOF) claims the Government should consider the tax following its introduction in Denmark in a bid to cut obesity and its associated health problems.
Prime Minister David Cameron has revealed that the UK Government will consider the fat tax, but a Scottish Government spokesman yesterday confirmed that it will not do the same.
He said the Government plans to work with manufacturers to reduce fat content instead.
NOF spokesman Tam Fry said: “I’m delighted that David Cameron is considering it and I think that the Scottish Government are grossly negligent for deciding not to.
“It’s absolutely essential now that every responsible Government considers the tax, and I would urge the Scottish Government to think again.”
The Danish tax will target foods with more than 2.3% saturated fat, including butter, crisps and selected meats. But while the Danes have an obesity rate of 10%, 26.9% of men and 27.6% of women in Scotland are now officially obese.
Lanarkshire GP Dr David Walker, a trained food scientist and nutritionist, said: “Anything we can do to help lessen obesity at this stage would be helpful.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Obesity is a huge threat to Scotland’s future and we are committed to tackling this. ”
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