Denmark taxes avocados, butter, eggs, nuts, chocolate and coconut oil

**MelbGirl08** · 15-10-2011, 06:21 AM

Citizens of Denmark who don't count saturated fat grams can count on an increase in their grocery bill this fall. In early October, Denmark officials placed a tax on foods which contain saturated fat. The new tax charges the equivalent of $1.29 per pound on all foods which contain 2.3 percent or more saturated fat.

The Danish government says it's necessary to place a tax on saturated fat to increase the lifespan of its citizens. Central planners say the tax is part of a plan to raise the average life expectancy in Denmark by three years over the next decade. They predict the tax will decrease the consumption of saturated fat and therefore lead to increased longevity. In reality, many feel the tax is unethical, and fear it will do nothing more than drain citizen wallets and fill government coffers.

Taxing Natural Foods and Stealing Our Freedom

The tax on saturated fat outrages health-conscious individuals on many levels. One huge problem is the tax fails to distinguish between industrial junk foods and natural whole foods. Any food containing 2.3 percent or more saturated fat is included in the tax plan. The new tax targets commonly recognized junk foods like snack cakes and candy bars, but it also hits what many consider to be healthy foods, such as avocados, coconut oil and organic cheese and eggs. Organic whole milk, cod liver oil, and certain nuts and seeds also make the list. Whole food enthusiasts are understandably perturbed by this inclusion.

Questions are also raised about the true impact on saturated fat on our health. With their new tax, Denmark officials appear to ignore any and all research which suggests saturated fat is not actually harmful to our health:

- For instance, the renowned Cochrane Collaboration analyzed 27 studies and found lower saturated fat intake was not associated with lower heart attack risk.

- Another study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found no solid evidence linking saturated fat to heart disease or stroke.

- More research shows eating coconut oil, which is composed almost entirely of saturated fatty acids, actually improves cholesterol profiles.

The new tax is a striking example of what happens when bureaucracy becomes too powerful. When a select few can define healthy eating and then financially punish anyone who doesn't agree, it is a sign of our personal freedom disappearing into oblivion.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.thenewamerican.com/opini...

http://www.reuters.com/article/2010...

http://www.naturalnews.com/026547_o...

http://www.naturalnews.com/025857_f...

http://www.naturalnews.com/027865_s...

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/033855_De...#ixzz1an0iyMlS

**MelbGirl08** · 15-10-2011, 06:22 AM

Tax eggs and nuts?

Insanity.

**Sherrie** · 15-10-2011, 07:57 AM

It's pretty crazy isn't? apparently they already have a sugar tax. I read about the fat tax a week or two ago in a news article where someone wanted to implement Denmark's fat tax here! Anything is possible with our present gov!

**ScrappyKat** · 15-10-2011, 06:22 PM

How about a tax on sugar and carbohydrates instead? Oh they already did that pretty much with GST. Would our government really be THAT stupid? Oh hang on, eeek!

**MelbGirl08** · 15-10-2011, 06:30 PM

I'm pretty much convinced that the country is run by TURDS.

A tax on EGGS? For crying out loud. If it was KFS or McDiabetes, or something like that, but seriously? But hey, we're taxing air now so I guess it's no big surprise. It will probably be implemented here some time soon.

Tell you what - won't stop me buying it.

**ScrappyKat** · 15-10-2011, 06:34 PM

If everyone grew their own food that would turn things upside down. What would the government tax then?

**Sherrie** · 15-10-2011, 07:16 PM

Originally Posted by ScrappyKat

How about a tax on sugar and carbohydrates instead? Oh they already did that pretty much with GST. Would our government really be THAT stupid? Oh hang on, eeek!

GST doesn't tax basic foods

**Sherrie** · 15-10-2011, 07:18 PM

Originally Posted by MelbGirl08

Tell you what - won't stop me buying it.

That's WHY they tax it! Look at cigarettes and alcohol!

**ScrappyKat** · 15-10-2011, 07:37 PM

Originally Posted by Sherrie

GST doesn't tax basic foods

Yeah, but most carbs apart from plain sugar, juice, bread, cereal, pasta and rice are taxed. If it is "Made" into any type of "Food", its taxed. Doesn't stop people though. And I dont think a tax on fat would stop people either. Unfortunately.

I think the fat tax is a stupid idea though.

**LC_Dave** · 16-10-2011, 05:35 AM

Remember when we were told to eat on 1-2 eggs per week by organisations like the Heart Foundation?

Dietary Science is rife with pseudo-science, and the pseudo is fuelled by Corporate politics. We're in this diet confusion mess because big American Agra corps are corrupt as heck!

**Sherrie** · 16-10-2011, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by LC_Dave

Remember when we were told to eat on 1-2 eggs per week by organisations like the Heart Foundation?

Dietary Science is rife with pseudo-science, and the pseudo is fuelled by Corporate politics. We're in this diet confusion mess because big American Agra corps are corrupt as heck!

Dave, the fact that Australians do not understand Medicine and Nutrition and how well we have been doing since the introduction of the healthy food pyramid should be a national shame. No need to invent Atkins style conspiracy theories, this is actually being done here on the internet by shadowy paleo style figures. You can't believe what you see on the internet, don't use google, it's a conspiracy, see your doctor and government funded Heart Foundation and Diabetes Australia instead. They will put you on the correct diet and give you the correct drugs to manage the diet. It's not your fault, you are too stupid to know any better, because you're not a doctor/dietician etc and thus unable to form any half decent opinion.

Disclaimer: sarcasm