The All India Food Processors’ Association (AIFPA), an industry body has written to the Ministry of Food Processing Industries as well as the finance minister for lowering the GST rate to 5% from the present 12% on packaged food items such as chips, cereals, pickles, ready-to-eat foods, snacks and instant meals, among others.This has been urged so that the packaged and branded food market in India can expand. It has been observed by the All India Food Processors’ Association that higher GST on packaged food has led to a shift of consumption from branded to non-branded foods and lower GST revenue to the Government. Moreover, in another recommendation, the Association has asked for lower GST on aerated beverages by removing them from ‘sin’ category. Another recommendation has been sought for lower GST on juice based beverage to 5% from 12%.
https://www.livemint.com/news/india/industry-seeks-lower-gst-on-processed-foods-11598262949424.html
