To discourage fast food consumption

A simple but brilliant idea was suggested by a Belgian human rights expert during a recent meeting of the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Geneva to combat the so-called “junk food” phenomenon that is responsible for obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases among the old and young alike.

He said that just by increasing the sales tax on such food products would drive away customers, especially by the very young who are addicted to hamburgers, cokes and other such food and drinks.

He said that by simply increasing prices to users by dramatically hiking taxes, people were discouraged from smoking or drinking.

I found the idea appealing except for the fact that poor people are also amongst the top consumers of such unhealthy food products. The poor eat such foods because they are cheaper than the more healthy foodstuffs.

Still, the idea is worthy looking into since it has the potential to discourage people from relying on fast food items as the main daily diet.

Of course, the counteropinion would argue that eating humus and falafel is not exactly healthy either, especially knowing that many restaurants that serve falafel at affordable prices cook their falafel in the same oil for weeks on end.

It is well known that using the same oil for frying over and over again causes cancer, as burned oil becomes carcinogenic.

I have yet to hear of any warning from our health authorities about eating falafel, even though they could be hazardous under the condition mentioned above. 

The holy month of Ramadan has started and people often queue to buy food that is not always prepared in a healthy way.

Officials might consider issuing health directions to fasting people on what is healthy and what not to break their long fasting hours.