Goods and Services Tax Determination

GSTD 2008/2

Goods and services tax: are supplies of food known as breakfast bars GST-free?

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Preamble

1. No, supplies of food known as breakfast bars are not GST-free and are therefore taxable supplies if all the other requirements of section 9-5 of the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 (GST Act) are met.

Explanation

2. The GST Act provides that many supplies of food are GST-free. A supply of food is GST-free^[1] if the product is food as defined in the GST Act and the supply is not excluded from being GST-free by the GST Act.^[2] As food for human consumption, breakfast bars satisfy the definition of food.^[3]

3. However, the GST Act also provides that supplies of certain specified food are not GST-free. That is, food of a kind specified in the table in clause 1 of Schedule 1 to the GST Act is not GST-free, nor is food that is a combination of one or more foods at least one of which is food of such a kind.^[4]

4. Item 11 of Schedule 1 to the GST Act (Item 11) specifies 'food known as muesli bars or health food bars, and similar foodstuffs'. Therefore, supplies of food known as muesli bars, health food bars and foodstuffs of a similar kind are not GST-free.

Known as

5. The use of the words 'known as' in Item 11 does not indicate a specific marketing test. That is, foodstuffs do not have to be actually labelled 'muesli bars' or 'health food bars', to be food known as muesli bars or health food bars. Rather, the terms 'muesli bars' and 'health food bars' are broad terms which are commonly used by sellers and consumers, indicating classes of products. Therefore, the Commissioner considers that the ordinary usage of these terms is appropriate in determining whether food known as breakfast bars fall within Item 11.

Muesli bars

6. The term 'muesli bar' is not defined in the GST Act, so the ordinary meaning of the term applies. The dictionary definition of muesli bar is 'a commercially-prepared and packaged snack made from a muesli mixture, usually sweetened and set in a bar shape'.^[5] Muesli is defined as 'a breakfast cereal of various mixed products such as oats, wheat germ, chopped fruit and nuts, etc'.^[6]

7. A typical muesli bar contains ingredients similar to those found in muesli breakfast cereals, plus additional sugars and other ingredients necessary to achieve a consistency suitable for presentation in bar form. Some muesli bars contain confectionery pieces such as chocolate chips or chocolate, yoghurt or other flavoured coatings.

Similar foodstuffs

8. Item 11 specifies 'foods known as muesli bars or health food bars, and similar foodstuffs'. The ordinary meaning of 'similar' is 'having likeness or resemblance, especially in a general way'.^[7] Therefore, foods that resemble muesli bars in a general way, having regard to their essential character, are considered to be similar foodstuffs and therefore within the class of foods specified in Item 11.

9. The characteristics of muesli bars that form a basis for comparison with other products may be categorised as:

•

physical presentation; and

•

ingredients.

Physical presentation

10. Muesli bars are shaped in the form of a bar for ease of eating. The size of muesli bars is appropriate for a single serving.

11. The texture of muesli bars varies from chewy to crunchy. Muesli bars are usually individually wrapped when sold, either individually or packaged in boxes.

12. To be similar to a muesli bar, a product would need to have a similar physical presentation.

Ingredients

13. To be similar to muesli bars, it would be expected that the foodstuff would contain some or all of the ingredients common to muesli bars as described above.

Breakfast bars

14. Some products available on the market are known as 'breakfast bars'. The term 'breakfast bar' is not used in the GST Act.

15. Products known as breakfast bars may include the words 'breakfast bars' on their packaging and usually:

•

consist predominantly of cereals and sugars and may contain other ingredients such as fruits and/or nuts; and

•

are of a similar size and shape to muesli bars.

16. It is the Commissioner's view that breakfast bars resemble muesli bars in the manner of their physical presentation as they are of similar shape and size, and contain similar ingredients.

17. As breakfast bars are similar in character to muesli bars, they satisfy the description of 'similar foodstuffs'. Therefore, breakfast bars are food of a kind specified at Item 11. As paragraph 38-3(1)(c) of the GST Act provides that food of a kind specified in Schedule 1 to the GST Act is not GST-free, supplies of breakfast bars are taxable supplies if all the requirements of section 9-5 of the GST Act are met.

18. As breakfast bars are similar to muesli bars, we do not consider it necessary to consider whether they are also similar to health food bars.

Date of Effect

19. This Determination explains the Commissioner's view of the law as it applies both before and after its date of issue. You can rely upon this Determination on and from its date of issue for the purposes of section 105-60 of Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953. Goods and Services Tax Ruling GSTR 1999/1 explains the GST rulings system and our view of when you can rely on our interpretation of the law in GST public and private rulings.

20. If this Determination conflicts with a previous private ruling that you have obtained or a previous public ruling, this public ruling prevails. However, if you have relied on a previous ruling, you are protected in respect of what you have done up to the date of issue of this public ruling or, if there is a change to the legislation, you are protected in respect of what you have done up to the date the legislative change takes effect. This means that if you have relied on the earlier ruling and have underpaid an amount of GST, you are not liable for the shortfall prior to either the issue date of this Ruling or the date the legislative change takes effect, as appropriate. Similarly, if you have relied on the earlier ruling you are not liable to repay an amount overpaid by the Commissioner as a refund.

Commissioner of Taxation
27 August 2008

Previously issued as GSTD 2008/D1

References

ATO references:
NO 2004/12437

Related Rulings/Determinations:

GSTR 1999/1

Subject References:
breakfast bars
goods and services tax
GST supply
GST-food
GST-free
health food bars
muesli bars
taxable supply

Legislative References:
ANTS(GST)A 1999
ANTS(GST)A 1999 9-5
ANTS(GST)A 1999 38-2
ANTS(GST)A 1999 38-3
ANTS(GST)A 1999 38-3(1)(c)
ANTS(GST)A 1999 38-4(1)(a)
ANTS(GST)A 1999 Sch 1
TAA 1953 Sch 1 105-60

Other References:
The Macquarie Dictionary, 2001, revised 3rd edition, Macquarie Library Pty Ltd, NSW