Appelsientje also wants to avoid sugar tax: dairy in apple juice
We previously wrote about the introduced sugar tax, which we have had to deal with since January 2024. The government calls this tax a ‘consumption tax’, but sugar-sweetened drinks in particular are becoming more expensive — hence the ‘nickname’ sugar tax. Interestingly enough, Light and Zero soft drinks are also covered by it, despite containing no sugar.
One exception for sugary drinks is dairy — dairy products are not subject to this additional sugar tax. And Appelsientje spotted a handy loophole in that.
Dairy in apple juice ‘is allowed’
Marnix van Rij, outgoing State Secretary for Taxation and the Tax Administration, told BNR this. At the end of February, Appelsientje launched a new variety called Appelsientje FruitDrink, and it is considerably cheaper. The brand’s familiar apple juice now costs €2.89 (partly because of the sugar tax), while AppelSientje FruitDrink costs €1.99 (per litre). Almost one euro cheaper, so that makes quite a difference.
The sugar tax amounts to 26 cents per litre, which can therefore add considerably to a producer’s costs. Dairy products are the exception, and according to the law, only a minimal amount is needed for something to legally qualify as a ‘dairy product’. Interestingly, plant-based alternatives such as oat and soy milk are subject to the sugar tax — because they do not contain dairy. You can imagine that this tax has come in for quite a bit of criticism, because the logic is hard to find in places… ‘If only we had a real sugar tax,’ nutritionist and founder of communications agency Voedingsjungle Michelle van Roost lamented to AD.
The House of Representatives considers it ‘unacceptable’
‘It is bizarre that a producer is using these kinds of clever tricks to avoid the sugar tax,’ says Inge van Dijk of the CDA. ‘So the law is not working properly.’ Personally, I find it bizarre that it is only now being concluded that this law does not work properly, and that this was not discussed when it became clear that plant-based alternatives would also be subject to this new tax — thereby affecting vegans and people who are lactose intolerant, purely and simply to make more money.
What percentage of milk does a product need to contain to qualify as ‘dairy’? Very little: 0.02 percent. And Appelsientje FruitDrink contains less than 0.1 percent — but that does mean it can be considerably cheaper. It is therefore entirely logical that brands will start taking advantage of this loophole (Appelsientje will not be the last), but it is very unfortunate for people who cannot or are not allowed to have dairy for one reason or another.
Hopefully they will take a really close look at this sugar tax for once, although I have the feeling that the House of Representatives currently has other priorities…
Also read:
- Eddie’s food frustrations: that you hardly dare order ‘regular’ yogurt anymore
- Why does that special barista oat milk actually froth so well?
- Vegans, take note: you can now buy a vegan milker at Aldi
Source: BNR // Image: Appelsientje
