And while there has been widespread speculation about a gas tax, always a rather inflammatory subject, it is interesting that the notion of a tax on junk food, ostensibly to prod Jamaicans into developing healthier eating habits, appears to be gathering support in some quarters.

In Thursday's edition of The Gleaner, head of the Ministry of Heath's Nutritional Department, Sharmaine Edwards, publicly gave her support for a junk-food tax, saying, "when the chronic diseases attributed to these foods (occur), at least the money will be there to care for them, as it costs a lot to treat chronic diseases".

In a humorous vein, the interesting thing about a junk-food tax is that the persons whom it affects would less likely protest too much without facing some ridicule about their domestic arrangements. We can see where a man who dares to protest publicly about a tax on his favourite junk food would be questioned about having a woman at home or being able to provide for himself, while the women would most likely be rebuffed for their lack of culinary skills.

Fast-food consumption

Humour aside, though, chances are there would be some controversy about what is fast food in the first place. For while in Thursday's story The Gleaner spoke to representatives of major fast-food chains Island Grill and KFC, where the venerable patty would fall is up for debate. And just how would fast-food consumption be taxed without, in the interest of equity, some sort of taxation being also imposed on pastry products which have a very high-sugar content?

Edwards also noted the unhealthy composition of much of the imported food in the supermarkets, and rightly so. However, taxation and taste aside, having Jamaicans eat healthy and consume local products also raise issues about cultural practices and appreciation of what constitutes healthy eating.

Having a 'big food' is a mark of spending power in many a Jamaican setting, with items such as tinned mackerel being relegated to 'poor-people food'. In addition, eating Jamaican food is not very prominent on the list of the more affluent.

We have also heard references in recent times to the importance of Jamaicans eating what is grown locally. This is a useful message that ought not to be presented in a vacuum. We would suggest that, in addition to considering a tax on junk food, the Government, through its public information arm, engages Jamaica in a conversation aimed at developing a better appreciation of Jamaican food and recipes - bearing in mind that not all local fare, as often presented, can be considered healthy either.

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