Additional costs for grocery products are on the horizon: A period of hidden price hikes

Within the scope of a new draft law being prepared by the Ministry of Health, an additional fund contribution will be collected for many food and tobacco products. Fund revenues will be generated from packaged products sold on grocery shelves and tobacco products. The goal is to increase healthy eating habits, especially among children and young people, and to support public health.

According to the draft, the new structure planned to be established under the name "Contribution to Healthy Living Fund" will be financed by fund contributions to be collected from various products. For sugary drinks, a fund deduction is being introduced, starting from 1 TL per 100 milliliters and reaching up to 5 TL depending on the sugar content. This rate is set at 20 percent of the sales price for snack products, while for products containing starch-based sugar, this rate can be increased up to 10 TL for drinks and up to 40 percent for snacks.

For tobacco products, a deduction of 20 TL per pack for packaged products and 100 TL per kilogram for loose tobacco is on the agenda. The authority to halve or double the determined amounts is granted to the President. At the same time, these rates will be increased annually by the revaluation rate.

The fund management will be headed by a board consisting of deputy ministers from the Ministries of Health, Agriculture, Treasury and Finance, Trade, Family and Social Services, and National Education. This fund, which will have a public legal entity status, will be exempt from corporate tax. Furthermore, the income generated by the fund will not be considered as economic gain. Donations and aid from taxpayers will be deductible from income and corporate taxes.

The collected resources will be transferred to areas such as the expansion of healthy nutrition programs in schools, obesity and dental health check-ups, canteen support, and R&D studies aimed at reducing sugar in the food sector. Additionally, local government projects for parks, walking paths, and sports fields, as well as indoor tobacco inspections and medical equipment purchases, will also be financed within the scope of the fund.

News Source: 12punto