From January 1, 2025, the use of meal vouchers is now limited to directly consumable products. This decision stems from the political instability caused by the Barnier government's censorship, reports CNEWS.
Since the summer of 2022, the French have been able to use their restaurant vouchers for various food purchases, including non-directly consumable products such as pasta, flour or butter. This exemption, introduced to combat precariousness and support purchasing power in the face of inflation, is however coming to an end, confirms CNEWS.
From this Monday, January 1, only products ready to be consumed, such as sandwiches, prepared salads, ready meals, yogurts, dairy desserts, non-alcoholic drinks, cold meats or processed fish, can be purchased with meal vouchers.
The daily limit remains set at 25 euros, but the Ministry of the Economy has confirmed that no additional controls will be put in place to verify the strict application of the law.
The shadow of the political crisis
This brutal change is the indirect result of the censorship of the government of Michel Barnier, overthrown on December 4. In November, the National Assembly voted to extend this measure until the end of 2026.
But with the fall of the government, the Senate did not have time to vote on this text, automatically leading to the end of the exemption.
Laurence Garnier, former Secretary of State for Consumer Affairs, denounced a direct consequence of political instability on the six million users of meal vouchers. So should we expect a step back?
Hope remains however, the Senate plans to examine, on January 15, a proposal aimed at reestablishing this exemption for all food products, but only until the end of 2025. If this version is adopted without modification, it will still have to go through a parliamentary shuttle, delaying promulgation.
In the meantime, restaurateurs are delighted with this development. They have long denounced competition from supermarkets for the use of restaurant vouchers on products that are not directly consumable.
