The European Commission is considering the proposal of a tax on ultra-processed foods with high fat, sugar, or salt contents.
According to a draft document consulted on Sunday by dpa, which is set to be officially presented in mid-December, the relevant authority believes that the tax would provide incentives for healthier eating habits.
The authors wrote that "a micro-tax at the EU level" could maintain stable prices and bring about changes in consumer behavior without causing excessive financial harm.
Producers would be motivated to make their products healthier. Tax revenues are intended to be used exclusively for promoting healthy living programs throughout the EU.
The European Commission highlights that cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in the European Union, with over 1.7 million deaths annually. The economic cost amounts to 280 billion euros per year.
There is evidence linking high consumption of ultra-processed foods to an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, and metabolic diseases, according to the cited source.
In addition to taxes, the health plan also includes the modernization of tobacco control legislation by 2027 and the introduction of a rating system for processed foods at the EU level.
The European Commission aims to reduce cardiovascular disease mortality by 20% by 2035 through various initiatives.