VAT on healthy food: Majority calls for its removal

Fresh fruit, vegetables, or legumes: What’s essential for a balanced diet is becoming more and more expensive. Half of the participants in a recent survey say that healthy food is often too costly for them.

More than 40% say they cut back specifically when shopping. Particularly affected: households with lower incomes. Two-thirds of respondents with a net household income below €2,000 reported frequently having to restrict their purchase of healthy food.

Clear demands on politics

The representative online survey was commissioned by the Federation of German Consumer Organisations (VZBV). More than 90% of respondents support scrapping VAT on healthy foods like fruit, vegetables, and legumes. Currently, that tax rate stands at 7%. The survey also found broad support for a tax on sugary drinks and stricter advertising rules for unhealthy products.

Healthy eating needs political support

Consumers’ demands go beyond financial relief. According to the VZBV, they expect clear political frameworks: fair prices, more transparency, and targeted support for healthy eating – for example through advertising restrictions on products high in fat, sugar, and salt.
Social organisations are also joining in. Verena Bentele, president of the German Social Association (VdK), has called for reduced VAT on staple foods – so that families can afford small everyday treats like a handful of fresh strawberries again.

Growing support for tax reform

Political debate around tax relief for healthy food isn’t new – but during times on inflation public pressure is increasing. In Germany, many staple foods like bread, milk, or fresh produce are already subject to a reduced VAT rate of 7%. Other items – like meat or ready-made meals – are taxed at the standard 19%. But the survey shows that even 7% is too much for many to afford healthy choices.
During the last election campaign, the SPD (Social Democratic Party) proposed lowering VAT on healthy food to 5%, while the Left Party went further, demanding a complete exemption – so that eating healthily isn’t a question of income.

Healthy food – for everyone

The survey makes one thing clear: Healthy eating must not become a luxury.

If nutritious food becomes unaffordable for large parts of the population, food policy loses credibility – and with it, trust in everyday social fairness.

Photo by Markus Winkler via pexels