The Fèderation des Entrepreneurs de Boulangerie (FEB) stands firmly against a tax on sweet products, which is under consideration in France. The government is looking into introducing a tax on sweet products, as a part of the French Social Security Finance Bill (PLFSS). The bakers’ association considers such a measure would have disastrous consequences for the industry, however well-intended the initiative may have started: “Far from meeting its stated public health objectives, this tax jeopardizes iconic products of French gastronomy – such as the pastries and viennoiseries that brighten up our moments of conviviality – and threatens the future of an industry that promotes French excellence both at home and abroad.

The French bakery and pastry sector, nearly 95% of which is made up of small and medium-sized businesses,  is already facing a tsunami of unprecedented changes, including energy costs, raw material prices (for example, butter prices are at an all-time high, and cocoa prices are soaring), FEB highlights. In such circumstances, the tax would bring a 10% price increase in pastries and viennoiseries, a spike that would result in lower sales. “Viennoiserie and patisserie specialties, far from being products consumed daily, represent those precious moments of sharing and comfort that we need so much. Croissants, Pain au chocolat, Paris-Brest, millefeuilles, éclairs or tarts – these iconic creations of our gastronomic heritage would be targeted by this new tax, even though they’re all part of our culinary heritage, and are consumed in moderation, mainly on festive occasions or in social gatherings,” FEB underlines, stressing the need for these creations to remain affordable.

“Taxing indulgence products, which are occasionally consumed, does not address public health issues. On the contrary,” the organization concludes.

Photos: Pexels