Colombia plans to be the first in the world to introduce an excise tax on fast food

The law came into force this month. The authors of the bill included ready-to-eat industrially produced meals as ultra-processed products: breakfast cereals, nuggets, chips, sweet soda, crackers, fast food (burgers, French fries), various foods high in salt and fat.

The initial excise tax is set at 10%. In 2024 it will be increased to 15%, and in 2025 – to 20%.

Colombian authorities took such measures due to the high danger of ultra-processed foods for the health of citizens, especially children and adolescents.

According to national statistics, each Colombian consumes about 12 grams of salt from food every day, which is one of the highest levels in the world. This leads to the development of hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and increases the risk of strokes and heart failure.

The high sugar content in food consumed by Colombians is contributing to an increase in the incidence of diabetes in citizens under 70 years of age.