Guido Camps (34)
is a vet, and will soon graduate with a PhD for MRI research on stomach emptying in humans. His hobbies are baking, beekeeping and unusual animals.
The letter was the initiative of fruit and vegetable growers but – according to the media – was also signed by Ingrid Steenhuis, professor of Prevention and Public Health at VU Amsterdam and Wageningen University. The food watchdog Foodwatch is supporting the campaign with a petition which has been signed nearly 58,000 times to date.
Now as a PhD candidate in the field of Nutrition, I am all in favour of initiatives that promote a healthy diet, but I do think this campaign is purely symbolic. On its website Foodwatch claims that a Mars bar costs 36 cents and an apple 59 cents. The organization calls on the government to make fruit and veg VAT-free. ‘Because an apple that is cheaper than a Mars bar – that would be a healthy food policy in practice!’
The VAT on an apple is just over 3 cents. Frankly, that won’t stop anyone eating a Mars bar. And ironically enough, that apple still won’t be cheaper than a Mars bar even if the Foodwatch plan is implemented.
If you ask me, there is little scientific evidence that a reduction of a few cents will prompt consumers to eat fewer unhealthy snacks and more apples. Next time I hope Wageningen will only sign up to campaigns that aim higher.