from Simon Newark, partner, UHY Hacker Young, accountants
Sir; We are working with Innocent Drinks to campaign against the government for cashing in on healthy eaters.
Most food items are tax-free, while drinks are taxed at 17.5%. Therefore fruit is tax-free, but when fruit is pressed to make a smoothie, it is taxed at 17.5%.
This means that unhealthy snack foods such as Turkey Twizzlers are tax free, but 100% fruit smoothies are taxed. Yet celebrity chef Jamie Oliver helped remove Turkey Twizzlers from school menus.
The VAT laws have been in place since 1973 and it’s time for a rethink. The government must respond to the needs of modern, health-conscious consumers. It seems ridiculous to tax consumers who are trying to make healthy choices.
Sir; We are working with Innocent Drinks to campaign against the government for cashing in on healthy eaters.
Most food items are tax-free, while drinks are taxed at 17.5%. Therefore fruit is tax-free, but when fruit is pressed to make a smoothie, it is taxed at 17.5%.
This means that unhealthy snack foods such as Turkey Twizzlers are tax free, but 100% fruit smoothies are taxed. Yet celebrity chef Jamie Oliver helped remove Turkey Twizzlers from school menus.
The VAT laws have been in place since 1973 and it’s time for a rethink. The government must respond to the needs of modern, health-conscious consumers. It seems ridiculous to tax consumers who are trying to make healthy choices.
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