When is bread not actually bread? When it’s Subway bread, according to a ruling by the Irish Court. The case in question was brought by Bookfinders Ltd, Subway’s Irish Franchise, who sought to make their sandwiches tax exempt under Ireland’s Value-Added Tax Act of 1972 that allows such exemptions for staple foods.
The court declined, saying Subway bread could not be defined as a staple food due to its high sugar content. Rather it falls into the category of ‘discretionary indulgence.’
One six-inch sub roll contains 5g of sugar, or 10% of the weight of the flour included in the dough. The cutoff for sugar is set at 2% of the weight of the flour in Ireland in order to qualify for the definition of bread as a staple food.
Unhealthy adaptations of traditional staple foods are common in the fast-food industry and we are encouraged that a line can be drawn (even if it is for financial rather than health reasons). If you’re looking for an alternative nutrient-dense, high fiber, gluten-free and vegan bread recipe, check out one of our favorites here: The Life-Changing Loaf of Bread.