School meal prices will rise due to an increase in value-added tax.
School meals and meals for nursing homes will become more expensive after the federal government decided to raise the value-added tax on prepared meals from 6 to 12 percent, which will affect the daily food costs for families and the elderly.
The increase applies to all meals that must be consumed within two days, including ready-made pizza, burgers, and fries. While frozen pizzas in stores remain at 6 percent, fresh salads now carry a 12 percent tax, leading to confusion and debate among consumers.
Schools and nursing homes that do not have their own kitchens will be particularly affected, as they will have to pay higher rates for meals provided by external contractors. Although the additional cost per meal is small, the monthly impact accumulates on families and institutions.
These measures contradict the recent efforts of the Flanders government to promote healthy meals in schools. Opposition parties say that increasing the value-added tax undermines public health priorities and access to food for children.
Authorities faced difficulties in determining which meals are subject to the new value-added tax rules, sparking weeks of debate. Critics warn that this policy could discourage healthy eating habits and increase the financial burden on both families and care institutions.