France is to impose a ‘fat tax’ on sugary soft drinks in a bid to combat soaring child obesity.

The new tax will add just over 1p to a can of fizzy drink like Coca-Cola or Fanta but zero-calorie ‘diet’ drinks will be exempt from the charges, the government said.

The new measures – a hike of from 3 to 6 Euro cents per litre on sugary drinks – are also expected to raise more than £100 million a year for government coffers.

The revenue would be used to fund lower social security charges for farm workers, the government said.

The move comes days after France also announced it would be rationing tomato ketchup and salt in school canteens.

Under the rules, tomato sauce and mayonnaise will only be on dinner tables once a week when chips are served and would be removed when traditional French dishes such as roast veal are served.

France to impose fat tax on sugary drinks such as Coca-Cola and Fanta | Mail Online