New Fat Tax on Sodas

Leaders in New York are proposing a new fat tax on the soft drink industry, claiming that sodas are to blame for obesity in the United States. Public officials in New York and other states see the tax as an opportunity to have an affect on the diets of the general population and cut health costs due to obesity.

It is estimated that almost 20 percent of children in the United States between 6 and 19 years old are obese, which increases the risks of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and premature death. Health experts say that insufficient exercise, fast food, and sugary sodas are to blame.

Beverage companies says that they have reduced calories in schools by removing full-calorie soft drinks and offering lower-calorie, more nutritious, and smaller-portion options. Leading beverage companies, including Coca-Cola and PepsiCo say that 88 percent less calories are now sold in their drinks when compared to 2004.

Tuna Sushi Found High in Mercury

The New York Times recently did a study of the mercury content of sushi that was sold at 20 random New York City restaurants and found that most of the bluefin tuna that was being sold had mercury levels so high that a regular diet of six pieces a week would be beyond the levels acceptable by the Environmental Protection Agency. Similar results are found other places as well.

Sushi is often eaten because it is low in fat and high in protein but the mercury in it accumulates in the human body. Even small amounts can cause brain development problems, especially in children and pregnant women.