Support for move to start collecting salt tax this year
THE Salt Reduction Network is very pleased that the Excise Department is gearing up to collect sodium, or salt, tax this year as a measure to encourage entrepreneurs to adjust their formulas and introduce healthy food options for consumers, TV Channel 7 said today (March 3).
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Surasak Kantachuvessiri, president of this network, said many countries have implemented measures to promote public health, such as Hungary, which collects a salt tax on snacks and seasoning sauces, with this having helped reduce consumption of unhealthy foods by 20-35%.
Around 80% of Hungarians also choose to consume products with reduced sodium formulas resulting in increased sales of these products.
In addition, Mexico, Tonga, and Fiji also collect tax on products and food based on sodium content, because just educating the public to reduce salt consumption is not enough.
Most fast food, made-to-order food, processed food, instant noodles, instant porridge, cup porridge, seasonings and snacks contain excess salt, which is a health hazard and increases the risk of contracting non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and along with this hikes medical expenses.
The principle behind the salt tax is not to generate income but rather encourage entrepreneurs to adjust their formulas and reduce this ingredient with time to be given to them to do so thus ensuring they are not hit with a heavier tax burden right from the start.
The tax will be collected according to sodium content in a tiered manner with higher tax for using a lot of salt.
The Excise Department is currently setting the criteria for sodium levels in products according to nutritional standards, starting with snacks which children and teenagers like consuming.
Children addicted to salt will grow to be adults who are likewise addicted.
Dr. Pairoj Saonuam, deputy manager of the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, said the amount of salt intake recommended by World Health Organisation is not more than 2,000 milligrammes/day but Thai people consume far more than that with adult intake reaching 3,636 milligrammes/day and children 3,200 milligrammes/day.
Reducing salt will help reduce the risk of contracting serious diseases. People are starting to get NCDs at a younger age with 10% of students in Bangkok suffering from high blood pressure and 14% are overweight.
These are warning signs that need to be urgently addressed, he said, adding people should reduce consumption of salt, have more vegetables and fruits – up to 400 grammes a day and exercise 150 minutes a week.
Photo: Thai Rath
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