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The Health Minister has confirmed a tax on fatty foods is being considered in a bid to tackle the growing problem of obesity.
The Act party says it has uncovered health offficials preparing a report on slapping extra taxes on fatty foods and health spokesperson Heather Roy says that will hit consumers.
"If you want to have a weekly treat at KFC or McDonalds or Pizza Hut then you are going to be taxed for that dinner."
The idea has received some top sporting endorsement - All Black prop Dave Hewett says the intention is good.
"Just simply it'll get people back to...growing vegetables and doing self sufficient sort of things rather than just relying on fast food all the time."
The proposal is already being considered in Australia and while high profile fast food outlets would bear the brunt of a fat tax, it would also hit small takeaways.
Fish and chip shop owner John Hanson says they do their best.
"We use thicker chips and try to cook them as healthy as we can ... you know I don't think it's going to stop people eating fish and chips."
Act says the fat tax would hit poor people hardest - health campaigners say that's the idea.
Dr Robin Toomath of the Fight Obesity Epidemic group, says it is the low income earners who are most at risk.
"These are the people that are having to make decisions about choices of food on the basis of price - and at the moment bad quality calorie dense food is very cheap compared to high quality lower calorie dense food. If we can change that balance with taxation that's all to the good."
It is unclear how much fatty food would cost and the tax is just one of a number of options health officials are investigating.
They are also looking into the effect of advertising on eating habits - their report is due to be completed in September.
