Buy a packet of Pringles. You know, they're the pleasant-shaped crisps that come in a pretty cardboard tube with a plastic top. Sit down in front of the telly. Enjoy the crunching sound as you eat them one by one, then two by two, then four by four... and finally tip the tube up to sweep the final crumbs into your mouth. That felt like eating crisps, didn't it? Think again!
A UK judge today declared that Pringles are not potato crisps. His reasoning? Potato crisps are made from potato; but, in contrast, Pringles only have 42% potato content, and are not therefore made from potato. The relevance? If they were crisps, then 17.5% VAT would be chargeable on every packet sold. As they are not crisps, but general foodstuffs, they are zero rated, and VAT need not be charged to the general public. At stake, therefore, are thousands and thousands of pounds.
Oh joy! A win against the VAT authorities! I so admire a judge prepared to set Pringles alongside fruit and veg as a staple foodstuff!
