’The war on obesity’ reaches the land of foie gras. Notice the food groups that are singled out – and those that are not included:

“Snack food and soft drink manufacturers [in France]…will have the option of including health warnings on televised advertisements or paying a tax that amounts to 1.5 percent of their ad budget.The tax is projected to reap $15.7 million a year, with the money going to a national health institute that will handle awareness campaigns on healthy eating.”

What nonsense, particularly given this study published only a month or so ago:

“A pair of French nutritionists have given a spirited oui to McDonald’s traditional “Big Mac” and classic cheeseburger, declaring the American fare more healthy to eat than scandalously rich quiche and other traditional French dishes. In a new guide to the eateries, food brands and markets of France, dietary researchers Jean-Michel Cohen and Patrick Serog observed, “Strangely enough, the products which are the most demonised are not necessarily the worst.”

Indeed. This campaign is nothing more than junk science and, given the barely concealed protectionism that will, undoubtedly, be a part of its motivation (we’re talking France here), junk economics too.