Overview
- A cost–benefit analysis commissioned by sector groups and Zuid-Holland estimates annual societal benefits of €9.0–€11.5 billion from providing healthier lunches at work.
- The study links sustained healthier lunches to lower disease risks, including an 11% drop in overweight and obesity, a 7.6% reduction in type 2 diabetes, and a 9.6% decline in cardiovascular disease.
- Offering lunches a few times per week to nearly 10 million workers is modeled to cost about €3.8 billion per year, with a projected return of 2.4 to 3 times each euro invested.
- Current tax treatment counts free workplace meals as a benefit in kind with an effective 80% levy, and the coalition behind the report urges the new cabinet to change the rules or share costs.
- Zuid-Holland officials signal they will explore incentives locally, while Koppert Cress’s Rob Baan cites a Supreme Court win on meals as prevention policy and is contesting a later €157,000 tax bill after a rule change.