Amsterdam is preparing a test case to establish whether it may reject a permit for a new fast-food establishment on public-health grounds. With a knowledge institution, the municipality plans to propose an unhealthy restaurant, reject its own permit application because of the surrounding supply of unhealthy food, and then take the decision to court.

The municipality says current legislation does not give it sufficient means to regulate health through catering permits. It is still seeking a participating knowledge institution and has not determined what form the restaurant will take or when the case will reach court. It expects to provide more information by the end of the year.