VAT on hot food

[itsmefolks]

Dont know if this is the right place to ask but here goes...Whats the situation regarding VAT on hot food please?? I wonder why I pay the same for a hot saviour as a cold one in certain high street chains!!

[Mr Veritas]

VAT on food is nothing to do with hot or cold,it's if you eat it in the shop/cafe/restaurant (you pay VAT)
If you take it away you don't pay VAT.
Of course there are some exceptions (but very few) but this is the law in general.

[itsmefolks]

Job sorted. Many thanks.

[Mr Veritas]

You are most welcome.
VAT is a very confusing tax at the best of times.
Alec.

[buildersmate]

What Mr V says is true, though it is a bit more complex than that.
Foods that are classified as true food and not snacks are zero-rated. Which is why biscuits, choccy bars are always charged VAT.
Foods that supplied to eat-in always have VAT added because it is a service of food being supplied, not raw foodstuffs.
Foods that are heated will always attract VAT, even if you take-it-out, the supply is a service of hot food, even on a pasty that would be zero-rated when bought cold.

[another-view]

A hot Saviour? Praise be brother!