**CBIC Corrects Rajdeep Sardesai on GST Rates for Popcorn Following Recent Reforms**
*New Delhi:* The Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC), the statutory body under the Ministry of Finance responsible for administering indirect taxes, fact-checked journalist Rajdeep Sardesai regarding the latest GST reforms on Thursday.
In a now-deleted post on X, Sardesai had claimed that caramel popcorn would be taxed at 18%. His post read:
*“The POPCORN debate has been resolved at last! Salted or spiced popcorn will now attract a uniform 5% GST, whether it’s sold loose or in pre-packaged form. Caramel popcorn will be taxed at 18%. Bring on the salted popcorn folks!”*
CBIC was quick to respond, sharing a screenshot of the post and clarifying:
*“Dear @sardesairajdeep, all sugar confectionery items will now be taxed at 5%. Kindly refrain from sharing incorrect information. Please see below the latest rates in Annexure II.”*
### Rajdeep Sardesai Issues Clarification
In a separate post on X, Sardesai corrected his earlier statement, saying:
*“Clarification: @cbic_india has clarified that ALL popcorn will have GST at 5%. Whether loose or packaged, or caramel. Earlier reports had said salted popcorn at 5% and caramel at 18% because of sugar element. Now, ALL sugar confectionery products will be at 5%.”*
### Background: The Popcorn GST Debate
Last year, popcorn became a topic of heated debate due to differentiated GST rates based on type:
– Loose salted popcorn: 5% GST
– Packaged popcorn: 12% GST
– Caramel popcorn: 18% GST
However, with the new GST reforms, the inclusion of all sugar confectionery items under the 5% tax bracket has effectively standardized GST rates for this popular snack.
The revised GST rates will come into effect from September 22.
The “popcorn controversy” dates back to the rollout of GST in July 2017. Initially, loose popcorn was exempt from tax, whereas packaged popcorn attracted 12% GST, leading to ongoing confusion and debate around applicable rates.
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Stay tuned for more updates on GST reforms and their impact on consumers and businesses.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/cbic-fact-checks-journalist-rajdeep-sardesai-over-his-claims-of-18-gst-on-caramel-popcorn