Mthuli's Fast Food Tax: The Battle of the Burgers Begins
Harare, 29 Nov 2024 – In a move that’s sure to ruffle some feathers (and maybe some French fries), the Zimbabwean government has announced a new Fast Food Tax, set to kick off on 1 January 2025.
Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube, in his 2025 national budget presentation, revealed that this tax will target our beloved fast food favourites –
- pizza,
- burgers,
- hot dogs,
- shawarma,
- French fries,
- chicken,
- doughnuts, and
- tacos.
The tax rate? A modest 0.5% on the sales value. But don’t let that small number fool you – it’s got the fast food industry in a bit of a pickle.
Ncube, with the seriousness of a man who’s just been told he can’t have extra cheese, explained that this move is all about tackling the growing obesity rates and related health issues.
Mthuli's Fast Food Tax: The Battle of the Burgers Begins
“Consumption of highly processed food has been identified as one of the factors responsible for the prevalence of obesity and associated non-communicable diseases,” Ncube declared.
The government’s grand plan is to nudge us all towards healthier eating habits and to encourage fast food joints to whip up some nutritious alternatives.
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Imagine a world where your local burger joint offers kale smoothies and quinoa salads – wild, right?
Officials are optimistic that this tax will push fast food operators to diversify their menus, making room for healthier options while discouraging our love affair with calorie-dense, processed meals.
But not everyone’s lovin’ it. Some industry players are worried that this tax might just make our favourite guilty pleasures a tad pricier and could even dampen our fast food cravings.
