In a pre-emptive effort to stave off obesity, the Danish government has imposed a tax on “fatty” products. No one can prove it will work or what the consequences will be to the public’s health and the economy. The only thing we do know for sure: Denmark has a Food Police problem.

In an interview on NPR, Danish business reporter Jakob Sorgenfri Kjaer said Danes were hoarding products in advance of the October 1st implementation of the tax, and some will spend an hour driving across the border into Germany or Sweden to buy their groceries tax free.

According to TIME Magazine, “Butter, oils, and high-fat dairy products will see the biggest price increases; products with more than 2.3% saturated fat will be taxed 16 kroner per kilogram ($2.90 USD) of saturated fat. Shoppers should be ready to pay up to 30% more for a pack of butter, 8% more for a bag of chips, and a liter of olive oil will cost 7.1% more than usual.”

It is foolish to impose a public policy punishing people for consumption of certain products when there are many factors that contribute to obesity. The same can be said for politicians and big government food activists who push for soda taxes to be imposed in the United States.

Tell us what you think. Do you think a ‘Fat Tax’ could be introduced in the United States? Share your answer with us on Facebook.