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Navajo Nation Imposes Junk Food Tax
Starting April 1, the Navajo Nation will be the first in the country to impose a tax on chips, cookies, soda and all junk food.
The tribe is attempting to curb high rates of obesity, diabetes and heart disease. At least one third of Navajos are diabetic or pre-diabetic and 60 percent of the same age group is obese, according to Indian Health Service statistics.
Laurel Morales
Stacy Jensen harvests green onions in his greenhouse at North Leupp Family Farms.
Some complain that half of the tribe is unemployed and can’t afford for food to become more expensive. Another bill that removed the 5 percent sales tax on fruit and vegetables went into effect last October.
Representatives of the beverage industry had lobbied the tribe to reject the 2 percent junk food tax, saying it would create problems for retailers and doesn’t solve health problems.
The junk food tax will remain in effect until 2020 but could be extended by the council.
