Pringles 'are not potato crisps'

Shock news but a High Court judge has ruled that Pringles are not potato crisps. The court case arose because Procter and Gamble (the makers of Pringles) challenged a H.M.Revenue & Customs decision that Pringles were subject to the standard 17.5% rate of VAT because it was it was "a potato crisp product" which are, unlike most foods, subject to VAT. The decision means that Pringles are now free from VAT.

Procter and Gamble (P&G) argued that Pringles were not potato crisps because of their "mouth melt" taste, their "uniform colour" and their "regular shape" which "is not found in nature". They also argued that Pringles contained non-potato flours. P&G argued that Pringles are more like a cake or a biscuit because they are manufactured from dough, in fact they are only 42% made from potato flour.

This follows on from previous court decisions regarding Jaffa Cakes and Teacakes.