Denmark

Did you know?

The Danish government recently took bold steps in its efforts to improve the health of the Danish people. In October 2011, Denmark introduced a tax on saturated fat. Charged at the rate of DKK 16 per kg saturated fat on domestic and imported food, the tax applies to meat, cheese, butter, edible oils, margarine, spreads and snacks. The government estimates that the new levy will improve the health of the population and raise DKK 1.5 billion annually.

Many people are keeping a close eye on Denmark's so-called ‘fat tax’ experiment. Finland, Norway and Sweden may also introduce a similar tax. Indeed, Sweden and Norway have been considering such legislation since 2007. Finland has already introduced taxes on sugared products such as soft drinks, ice-cream and chocolate.