Did you know that food is taxed in Canada?
Food can be one of the most expensive items in your grocery basket, but did you know it also has an extra hidden-cost - taxes! Yes, that's right. In Canada there is a long list of food items subject to tax, depending on the province you live in. It might surprise you to learn that sour candy and marshmallows are considered a “luxury” in some provinces, and will require paying an additional amount at checkout! While these taxes can seem tough to swallow while grocery shopping, they do help fund important services like healthcare, job programs and public safety initiatives.
The government taxes certain foods based on their "nutritional value" .
While it can be frustrating to pay extra taxes when stocking up on food, at least the government is attempting to help us make healthier choices in the grocery store. By imposing taxes on snacks deemed to have little to no nutritional value, such as chips and sugary drinks, the government hopes that people will opt for more nutritious items instead. So maybe we shouldn't curse their audacity; who knows? It may work!
For example, candy is taxed because it is considered to be unhealthy, while milk and bread are not taxed because they are considered to be essential nutrients.
Food is often taxed based on dietary and health guidelines. Certain snacks tend to be unhealthy and are therefore subject to tax, whereas essential nutrients like milk and bread are not. This can be a bit confusing for anyone reaching for the sweet stuff, wondering why their beloved candy is taxed while other seemingly less healthy products slip past relatively unscathed. It turns out that the law knows better than our taste buds when it comes to determining things like nutrition value - or lack thereof... Good thing too, since indulging in candy once in a while won't ruin your diet - but constantly paying extra for deliciousness just might!
There are some exceptions to this rule, such as baby food and pet food.
Of course, the rule can't be universal; otherwise, we'd have to worry about feeding our babies and pets! Thankfully, there are exceptions for those of us that want to keep our four-legged friends and little ones happy. Baby food and pet food represent two key exceptions that allow us to still make sure our family is well-fed. Without these exceptions, life would be a bit confusing...and our households a lot hungrier.
So next time you're at the grocery store, be sure to check the labels for any taxes that may apply!
Did you know that many grocery items are subject to taxes depending on where you live? Sure, you may not see any additional charges laid out directly in the product cost, but it doesn't mean the taxes don't exist. Taxes are added in all kinds of ways, from sales tax to local property tax – and that means grocery stores can pass those costs along to their customers without changing product prices. So next time you're stocking up on staples at the grocery store, check the labels for any taxes that might be tacked on. On second thought, why take chances? Do yourself a favour and double-check those tax rates before your shopping spree gets too wild!
With taxes covering a wide variety of products and services, it only makes sense that Canadians should be aware of how their food is taxed as well. Knowing which foods have an additional cost due to the government's nutritional value tax could be a big help when budgeting for groceries. So, if you're looking to save money at the grocery store consider checking the labels for any taxes that may apply. While we may not always agree with where our hard-earned money is going, at least now we can all make more informed decisions when it comes to food purchasing. Who knows? With careful shopping, you might even come away knowing you've made your dollar go further - and what could be better than that?
Toronto PHO is a Vietnamese restaurant committed to serving authentically prepared Asian Vietnamese foods properly and healthily in Vaughan, Kleinburg, Toronto, Woodbridge, and Hamilton.
Our PHO is a proud creation alongside many of our other menu items.
So come and enjoy some delicious Vietnamese food at one of our 4 locations across Ontario! We're open late night to satisfy all your cravings!
