This is a decision that will impact the purchasing power of many French people. Since January 1, 2025, the use of meal vouchers has once again been subject to strict rules. From now on, the purchase of products that are not immediately consumable, such as rice, pasta or olive oil, is prohibited with these titles.
However, a survey of Capital revealed that in practice the restrictions are not always respected. In fact, some major brands still allow you to purchase “prohibited” products. Among the most flexible distributors when it comes to the use of restaurant vouchers are Monoprix, Auchan, the Système U group and even Lidl. Especially since the hard discounter has only authorized them since September 2024, remind our colleagues.
A bill examined
Carrefour City, the local brand, is also very lax on the eligibility rules for products that can be purchased with restaurant vouchers. Thus, these allow you to buy cleaning products there. The situation is even more surprising at Franprix, where the investigation showed that even alcoholic drinks could be purchased with these payment vouchers. Ultimately, only a few brands, like Leclerc, rigorously apply the new rules. Despite these results, Capital reminds that the conditions of use of meal vouchers may vary from one store to another.
-Faced with non-compliance with the legislation by major retail brands, restaurateurs requested the intervention of the Directorate General for Competition, Consumption and Fraud Repression (DGCCRF). Without success, for the moment. Furthermore, the Senate is examining a bill this Tuesday which could restore the use of restaurant vouchers for all food products.
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