President Carlos Alvarado Quesada suggested that the country walk towards cultural and nutritional changes that encourage the consumption of new products of the basic basket tax. At the same time, he defended that the new composition seeks to protect Costa Ricans who have a lower purchasing power.
There is a whole change of culture that has to be done, not only through the basic basket, but through education processes, especially in nutrition issues. You will know that there are products that are much better for people in general, such as whole products for example, or fruits. Now what happens is that this information is not necessarily provided to all citizens, those are products consumed by people who have more income. As a society we have to change attitudes and tastes so that these are more widespread in the consumption of all the citizenship,”
said Alvarado.
In this way, the president responded to criticism from various sectors about the creation of the new basic basket tax. The new group of goods is made up of 189 products and excludes 29 of the current group.
Recently, the College of Nutritionists also expressed their displeasure over the foods excluded from the list, stating that it covers products that are difficult for the population to access.
During the process of public consultation, legislators questioned the articles that were intended to be taxed with 13% of VAT, demanding that the government not unprotect those in need.