A similar motive: in Russia, they propose to introduce an excise tax on chips

Russia may impose an excise tax on chips (20% of the cost) and ban their sale to minors. Oleg Pavlov, the head of the Public Council at Rospotrebnadzor, addressed the Cabinet with such an initiative, the topic will be raised at the next meeting of the council. Chips, according to a WHO study, are considered one of the most unhealthy foods. Since 2023, the government has already introduced an excise tax on sugar—containing beverages, and since October of the same year, the VAT rate on hamburgers, sandwiches and cheeseburgers has increased from 10% to 20%. The State Duma expressed the opinion that banning the sale of chips to minors would not be effective. The idea of introducing excise taxes on them was also already considered in Parliament in 2016, but was rejected.

Why chips threaten the health of Russians

Chips are proposed to be made an excisable product, while prohibiting its sale to minors. Oleg Pavlov, head of the Public Council at Rospotrebnadzor, addressed such an initiative to Mikhail Mishustin, Chairman of the Government. The amount of the excise tax can be set at 20% of the value of the goods, he explained to Izvestia.

In the document (available from Izvestia), he reports that back in 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended reducing or banning the consumption of foods rich in trans fats, which include chips. According to the organization, consumption of trans fats leads to the development of coronary heart disease, which causes up to 500,000 premature deaths worldwide every year. And in 2023, Oleg Pavlov notes, WHO put chips at the top of the list of the most harmful products.

In various countries of the world, there is already a practice of introducing excise taxes on products with a high salt and fat content. For example, Hungary has set a margin of 4% on them since 2011, Mexico since 2013 — 8%, Colombia in 2023 — 10% (in 2025 it will grow to 20%).

The proposed decision to impose a tax on products popular with the population is due to the fact that they pose harm and danger to the health of citizens, Oleg Pavlov emphasizes in the document.

In addition, the head of the Public Council at Rospotrebnadzor recalled the measures that the Russian government has already taken to combat "harmful" food. Since 2023, sugar-containing beverages have been subject to excise duty. And since October of the same year, the value—added tax rate on hamburgers, sandwiches, cheeseburgers and other similar dishes has increased from 10% to 20%.

A similar approach should be applied to such a harmful product as chips, he believes. At the same time, it is necessary to introduce mandatory certification of this product to constantly monitor the content of trans fats in it and bring this information to consumers, Pavlov adds.

It is also necessary to introduce restrictions on the advertising and promotion of chips in order to protect consumers from aggressive marketing (similar to those established for alcoholic and nicotine-containing products), the social activist suggests.

In Russia, a high proportion of morbidity is due to malnutrition, Oleg Pavlov noted. According to official data from Rosstat, the proportion of overweight people in the country reached 62.5% in 2024.

According to the social activist, the high excise tax rate on chips will affect the level of consumption and at the same time will provide additional funds for the implementation of social programs. The topic of the introduction of excise duty and other restrictions will be considered at the next meeting of the Public Council at Rospotrebnadzor, he added.

Izvestia sent requests to the government, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance with a request to comment on the prospects for supporting the proposals outlined in the document.

What measures are needed to prevent diseases due to trans fats?

The measure to ban the sale of chips to minors will not be effective, Sergei Leonov, head of the State Duma Committee on Health Protection, Candidate of Medical Sciences, told Izvestia.

— The easiest way is to ban everything. But we must not forget that the food we purchase is made according to approved safety standards. Therefore, in my opinion, it is more correct to talk not about banning, but about changing the behavior patterns of parents and children, who should be aware of the value of a healthy lifestyle. That is, so that adults understand that such products cannot be eaten every day. I have three children myself, and we buy them chips every two months," the parliamentarian explained.

According to him, there are quite a lot of harmful products on our shelves, for example, the same smoked meats, which, if guided by the proposed principle, should also be banned and advertising restricted.

— But I do not think that the ban will affect people's behavior and will not arouse even greater interest in these products. But if there is information about how the use of a particular product affects health or if more attention is paid to a healthy lifestyle, then this will be a more effective measure," the deputy is convinced.

Most of the chips are not a product made from potatoes, Larisa Gabdulkhakova, a nutritionist and nutritionist, told Izvestia.

— In fact, it is something like a potato product, which is made from mixtures of various ingredients, aromatic additives, flavorings, etc. Some of these substances can be potentially dangerous to health and cause exacerbations in people predisposed to certain diseases, the expert explained.

According to her, chips contain a lot of salt and sodium gluconate, which are also very harmful.

— Especially chips, which only vaguely resemble potatoes, are undesirable for people with diseases of the pancreas, liver, gastrointestinal tract, diabetes and hypertension. Many of the substances that are included in their composition are undesirable for children and can cause them to have an allergic reaction," the expert explained.

On the other hand, if this product is made from real potatoes and contains a minimum amount of salt, then it is quite acceptable for consumption, although also in small quantities.

Parliamentarians have been discussing the introduction of an excise tax on chips since 2016. Then a bill was submitted to the State Duma by Oleg Mikheev, a deputy from the Fair Russia faction, who proposed the introduction of an excise tax on chips at the level of 12-13 rubles per 100 g of product. However, the government did not support the bill, as it considered that the health of citizens is not a subject of the Tax Code.