Romania To Apply Fast Food Tax As Of March 2010

The tax will be paid by all legal entities that produce or import food with a high level of salt, fats, sugar and additives, and fast food, pastry, cakes, snacks, chips and fizzy drinks are included in this category of unhealthy food. Mineral water and natural juice obtained from fruit or vegetables will be exempt from this tax.

The list of unhealthy foods will be approved by a Government decision according to the draft law introducing the tax on fast food.

The level of the tax will be established after talks between the Health Ministry and companies producing or importing unhealthy food.

The money collected will be used to finance health expenses and will go to the Health Ministry's budget starting March 1, 2010.

The tax will be paid monthly and the deadline is the 25th day of the month following that when the food was delivered or traded on the local market.

Health Minister Attila Cseke told a news conference Tuesday that the ministry plans to introduce a new tax on fast food, sweets, fizzy drinks, to support national health programs.

He said he has asked the ministry's health commission to issue a stand on this proposal. The minister said he will hold talks with fast food producers and distributors about the manner in which the tax will be collected.

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