Sales of unhealthy food drop since introduction of targeted tax in Hungary

Budapest, February 7 (MTI) – Sales of unhealthy food slapped with a fat tax have fallen dramatically, the daily Népszava said on Tuesday.

The price of products targeted by the tax has risen by 29 percent, the paper said, citing a study published by the National Institute of Health Development. Related sales have declined by up to a third.

Fully 40 percent of food producers hit by the tax have changed their recipes with the aim of making their products healthier.

The tax on products high in sugar and salt has generated budget revenue of 122 billion forints (EUR 393m) since its introduction in the autumn of 2011.

Source: MTI