Tax unhealthy foods to tackle obesity, say campaigners

Only 34% of the world’s 30 biggest food and drink firms’ sales globally are from more nutritious products, a report says. Photograph: i4images premium/Alamy

Dozens of health and children’s groups have urged ministers to tackle obesity by imposing taxes on foods containing too much salt or sugar.

New levies based on the sugar tax on soft drinks would make it easier for consumers to eat more healthily by forcing food manufacturers to reformulate their products, they claim.