It is often claimed that the authority might forbid junk foods to enhance public health. In this essay, I will discuss this opinion and give my personal perspectives.
The prohibition of fast foods might bring some particular advantages. The high-fat, sugar, or preservatives in quick-service foods, such as hamburgers, fries, and so on, could pose a threat to human health conditions, including being overweight, high blood pressure, or unavoidable obesity. For instance, the number of obese teenagers in many countries is increasing considerably annually due to food addiction. However, junk foods are not the sole reason for health deterioration. It is also caused by genetic factors in the family, a sedentary lifestyle, devoid of exercise, and even life expectancy in each individual.
Therefore, the government should not forbid fast food entirely. Because it may negatively impact the economic nightmare, particularly affecting job losses. This aspect is considered a major occupation providing for millions of employees, students’ part-time jobs, or low-income workers. Banning the consumption of junk foods could lead to mass unemployment across restaurants, manufacturing, and supply chains. Moreover, it is also a significant influence on the tax revenue of the country, which acts as a catalyst for national tax, contributing billions of dollars annually. Forbidding the use of these products results in severe government budget deficits, impacting public services and the overall economy.
Furthermore, it may relate to a violation of personal liberty, since people could be entitled to choose what they eat, as long as they do not cause direct harm to others. Hence, banning fast foods sometimes leads to breaking rules and the potential for black markets. Besides that, junk foods become embedded in several cultural cuisines and social gatherings of some communities or countries, such as in the US or China, which are the nations making up the highest proportion of population consuming fast foods.
In conclusion, the prohibition of fast foods by the government could contribute partly to health improvement, whereas it may pose a threat to the economy nationwide and human rights. Personally, I think the authority should incentivize individuals to consume fast food to a certain level and strengthen awareness of nutrition and the impacts of food choices for human well-being, irrespective of a complete ban.