Health Ministry Postpones Fast-Food Tax Introduction

04.17.2011 ZF English

Romanian Health Minister Attila Cseke on Sunday told the ProTV station that the fast-food tax's introduction has been postponed, because the time is not right and Romania is not ready.

Romanian Health Minister Attila Cseke on Sunday told the ProTV station that the fast-food tax's introduction has been postponed, because the time is not right and Romania is not ready.

The minister said the tax was never a bill, only an idea to increase funding for national healthcare programs. Still, he said, the public debate that followed was very constructive, because it shed light on a serious issue - child obesity.

In February last year, during the debate, Health Ministry state secretary Adrian Streinu Cercel said the tax could be levied on fizzy drinks and products very rich in fats and sugar, adding it won't target foods such as dairy products, meat, pizza, shawarma or mineral water.

The food industry warned at the time that the tax could raise prices by more than 20% and leave 36,000 people jobless.