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An Apple A Day? More Like A Twinkie

Could taxpayers be funding the junk that helps feed the American obesity epidemic?

A recent report by CALPIRG found that in 15 years, $16.9 billion went to support some form of corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, corn starch and soy oils.

In San Francisco alone, $2,762,295 goes to subsidize junk food while a fraction of that -- $41,950 -- goes to subsidize apples.

"At a time when childhood obesity rates are skyrocketing, it's absurd that we're spending billions of taxpayer dollars to make the problem worse," Health Care Associate with CALPIRG Austin Price says.

According to the report, each taxpayer is buying the equivalent of 19 Twinkies per year, while subsidies for fresh fruit amount to less than a quarter of an apple.

Writers of the report also argue if funding is cut from junk food, it could affect health care costs in the future by reducing obesity and related health issues.

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