This is kind of like when the US Supreme Court ruled that tomatoes were not fruit.
The High Court in London decided that Pringles do not count as "crisps" (that's chips to us in the USA) for tax purposes. The VAT (value added tax) in England isn't applied to most foodstuffs, but potato crisps are subject to the tax. Lawyers for Prinlges, however, argued that since they are made from only 42% potato flour and their shape isn't based on anything natural, they are not really crisps and should therefore be exempt from the VAT.
According to Times Online, the High Court in London agreed, but don't count on that being the last word on the matter. England's Department of Revenue and Customs isn't happy about missing out on that tax money and is considering an appeal.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-07-2008 @ 10:11AM
Bernie B said...
Makes sense, I don't think Pringles taste like chips either. Aside from the uniform shape I never understood the appeal, they taste funky and have a weird texture.
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7-07-2008 @ 11:13AM
tanya said...
I saw this today - actually it's that Pringles aren't a "potato" snack. The issue is with charging VAT as a potato product - not as a chip.
The judge found that Pringles were only 42 percent potato, and thus exempt.
Source: http://www.topix.net/content/ap/2008/07/uk-court-pringles-are-potato-light-tax-free-2
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7-07-2008 @ 11:21AM
Alex said...
How is it anything like ruling that tomatoes aren't a fruit? Please tell me that didn't really happen ...
Tomatoes are plants with a scientific classification. Pringles are a manufactured, processed food stuff. If they're only 42% potato (which I didn't realise) then most people probably wouldn't call them crisps. I'll be making sure I stick with Seabrooks ... mmm.
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7-07-2008 @ 1:23PM
xs3 said...
Tanya didnt got your point of discussion here please clearify your point here.
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7-07-2008 @ 7:49PM
Berkana said...
That is ridiculous. If you had a pile of Pringles unlabeled and asked a thousand random members of the public to identify what they are, they would all call them chips. If the identification were not unanimous, have them eat a few, and try again.
This is why lawyers who do the bidding of greedy corporations are hated.
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7-08-2008 @ 4:05AM
xs3 said...
Tanya make your point clear here. Really it is getting difficult to get your point of discussion here.
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7-08-2008 @ 4:31AM
xs3 said...
Tanya make your point clear here. Really it is getting difficult to get your point of discussion here.
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7-08-2008 @ 9:12AM
Jon said...
The Pringles corporation admits that their product doesn't contain much potato and isn't in any way natural. So why would anyone eat Pringles?
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7-08-2008 @ 3:54PM
Bernie B said...
The one thing Pringles has going for it is that they travel really well. Just wish the product had a better natural flavour
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7-08-2008 @ 5:31PM
Herb said...
It's a step in the right direction. Next: American beer.
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7-10-2008 @ 8:12PM
mj said...
more like space food!
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