A British Milk Chocolate Bar

Because of the growing epidemic of obesity in the UK, today a doctor in Scotland has called for the British Government to put a tax on chocolate. Dr David Walker argues that the tax would at least indicate to consumers that chocolate is an unhealthy food.

This has provoked considerable debate here, not least amongst doctors. The British Medical Association (BMA) at their conference taking place in Scotland right now, there was a vote on the motion which was rejected but only by two votes.

I don’t believe that a tax on chocolate would make any difference to sales and consumption. Increasing the price by pennies, which is all it could be on the most popular chocolate bars, would not make any difference, even in these hard times, to most people.

It would be far better to educate consumers so that they buy better chocolate that is high in cocoa solids and lower in sugar.

The most popular type in this country is the so-called milk chocolate – it is so unlike good chocolate that the EU (European Union) would like to stop it being sold as chocolate. Because this type contains 5% vegetable fat, some countries in the EU wanted it called ‘chocolate substitute’. However, the UK’s managed to stop this being implemented.

If people buy chocolate with at least 65% to 70% cocoa solids, only the remaining 30% to 35% is made up of sugar, making it somewhat healthier. It also has a much stronger chocolate flavour so arguably satisfying the palate and craving without eating so much.

Natasha Marsland of Diabetes UK said:

“We don’t believe that a ‘chocolate tax’ is the right approach to help diminish the number of people who are overweight or obese in the UK.”

There is no way that the British Government would implement a tax on the country’s favourite treat, especially when people are already very unhappy in the current poor economic climate.

If you like chocolate, check out the recipes on Easy Chocolate Recipes and All Info About Chocolate.