Explained | What is the controversy over GST levies on food?

Why have pre-packaged and labelled food items been brought under the tax net now? The story so far:  From July 18, a 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST) has been levied on several food items and grains that are sold in a pre-packed, labelled form even if they are not branded. So far, these items, which include curd, lassi, buttermilk, puffed rice, wheat, pulses, oats, maize and flour, were e…