BBC Learning English
Words in the News
3
rd
October 2011
Denmark’s fat tax
Words in the News
© British Broadcasting Corporation 2011
Page 1 of 2
bbclearningenglish.com
Denmark has become the first country in the world to introduce a tax on foods seen as being
harmful to health. There will be an extra charge on items that contain more than 2.3% of a
particular type of fat. Tim Allman reports.
When you think of Denmark, you think of pastries, butter and bacon. So perhaps a fat tax
isn’t a bad idea, a levy that will be added to any foods that are high in saturated fat; milk,
cheese and meat, for instance.
Make it more expensive, reduce consumption, improve health. Well, that is the theory.
Some shops have reported increased sales, people hoarding food to beat the price rise. The
Danish Food and Drink Federation says some might just cross the border to do their shopping.
There is certainly some scepticism. Scientists insist that saturated fat is not the right target.
Salt and sugar cause more health problems. But one study claims close to 4% of premature
deaths in Denmark are caused by people consuming too much saturated fat. So hit shoppers
in the pocket, not the waistband.
Tim Allman, BBC News
Words in the News
© British Broadcasting Corporation 2011
Page 2 of 2
bbclearningenglish.com
Vocabulary and definitions
pastries
baked foods, usually sweet, made from batter or dough that
contains butter and sugar
a levy
a tax
saturated fat
substance found in certain foods that is thought to
contribute to heart disease
reduce consumption
lower the use of something
hoarding
buying a large amount more than they need to keep for
future use
to beat the price rise
to avoid paying a higher price later
scepticism
doubt about the effectiveness of the decision
claims
states as truth without necessarily proving it
premature deaths
deaths that happen earlier than expected
waistband
the top of a pair of trousers or skirt that attaches around the
waist
More on this story:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15140821
Read and listen to the story and the vocabulary online:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/wordsinthenews/2011/10/111003_witn_fat_tax.shtml
BBC Learning English
Words in the News
3
rd
October 2011
Denmark’s fat tax
Words in the News
© British Broadcasting Corporation 2011
Page 1 of 2
bbclearningenglish.com
Denmark has become the first country in the world to introduce a tax on foods seen as being
harmful to health. There will be an extra charge on items that contain more than 2.3% of a
particular type of fat. Tim Allman reports.
When you think of Denmark, you think of pastries, butter and bacon. So perhaps a fat tax
isn’t a bad idea, a levy that will be added to any foods that are high in saturated fat; milk,
cheese and meat, for instance.
Make it more expensive, reduce consumption, improve health. Well, that is the theory.
Some shops have reported increased sales, people hoarding food to beat the price rise. The
Danish Food and Drink Federation says some might just cross the border to do their shopping.
There is certainly some scepticism. Scientists insist that saturated fat is not the right target.
Salt and sugar cause more health problems. But one study claims close to 4% of premature
deaths in Denmark are caused by people consuming too much saturated fat. So hit shoppers
in the pocket, not the waistband.
Tim Allman, BBC News
Words in the News
© British Broadcasting Corporation 2011
Page 2 of 2
bbclearningenglish.com
Vocabulary and definitions
pastries
baked foods, usually sweet, made from batter or dough that
contains butter and sugar
a levy
a tax
saturated fat
substance found in certain foods that is thought to
contribute to heart disease
reduce consumption
lower the use of something
hoarding
buying a large amount more than they need to keep for
future use
to beat the price rise
to avoid paying a higher price later
scepticism
doubt about the effectiveness of the decision
claims
states as truth without necessarily proving it
premature deaths
deaths that happen earlier than expected
waistband
the top of a pair of trousers or skirt that attaches around the
waist
More on this story:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15140821
Read and listen to the story and the vocabulary online:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/wordsinthenews/2011/10/111003_witn_fat_tax.shtml
BBC Learning English
Words in the News
3
rd
October 2011
Denmark’s fat tax
Words in the News
© British Broadcasting Corporation 2011
Page 1 of 2
bbclearningenglish.com
Denmark has become the first country in the world to introduce a tax on foods seen as being
harmful to health. There will be an extra charge on items that contain more than 2.3% of a
particular type of fat. Tim Allman reports.
When you think of Denmark, you think of pastries, butter and bacon. So perhaps a fat tax
isn’t a bad idea, a levy that will be added to any foods that are high in saturated fat; milk,
cheese and meat, for instance.
Make it more expensive, reduce consumption, improve health. Well, that is the theory.
Some shops have reported increased sales, people hoarding food to beat the price rise. The
Danish Food and Drink Federation says some might just cross the border to do their shopping.
There is certainly some scepticism. Scientists insist that saturated fat is not the right target.
Salt and sugar cause more health problems. But one study claims close to 4% of premature
deaths in Denmark are caused by people consuming too much saturated fat. So hit shoppers
in the pocket, not the waistband.
Tim Allman, BBC News
Words in the News
© British Broadcasting Corporation 2011
Page 2 of 2
bbclearningenglish.com
Vocabulary and definitions
pastries
baked foods, usually sweet, made from batter or dough that
contains butter and sugar
a levy
a tax
saturated fat
substance found in certain foods that is thought to
contribute to heart disease
reduce consumption
lower the use of something
hoarding
buying a large amount more than they need to keep for
future use
to beat the price rise
to avoid paying a higher price later
scepticism
doubt about the effectiveness of the decision
claims
states as truth without necessarily proving it
premature deaths
deaths that happen earlier than expected
waistband
the top of a pair of trousers or skirt that attaches around the
waist
More on this story:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15140821
Read and listen to the story and the vocabulary online:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/wordsinthenews/2011/10/111003_witn_fat_tax.shtml