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Tesco launches limited-edition birthday cake sandwich in meal deal

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Posted: 5 August 2025 | | No comments yet

Tesco’s Victoria sponge-inspired birthday cake sandwich hits 1,000 stores for four weeks as part of its meal deal offer.

Tesco launches limited-edition birthday cake sandwich in meal deal

Credit: Tesco

Tesco has launched a limited-edition Birthday Cake Sandwich in 1,000 UK stores from today, featuring the flavours of a classic Victoria sponge with birthday cake-style sprinkles. Priced at £3 standalone, it is also included in Tesco’s meal deal at £4 (£3.60 for Clubcard holders). The sandwich will only be available for four weeks.

This builds on the viral success of M&S’s Strawberries & Cream sandwich, which layered strawberries and whipped cream cheese between sweet bread when it launched during Wimbledon.

Tesco’s cake sandwich taps into the growing trend for sweet, dessert-style sandwiches, but with limited availability, consumers will need to act quickly.

 

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Cake or sandwich? VAT debate

The rise of sweet sandwiches has sparked debate over their classification and tax treatment. The M&S sandwich was controversially classed as a sandwich despite its high sugar content, raising questions about whether it should be taxed as cake.

The UK zero-rates most food for VAT, but applies a 20 percent VAT rate to confectionery, including cakes and biscuits.

Laura Court-Jones, Small Business Editor at Bionic, warns of the risks for businesses considering similar hybrid food products:

Trends like this are worth watching closely, the surge in demand offers opportunities, but also potential tax pitfalls for small businesses.”

If a small business similarly misclassifies a product and fails to pay the correct VAT, it could face:

  • Penalties: HMRC can impose significant penalties, with up to 30 percent for careless errors and up to 70 percent or more for deliberate ones.
  • Interest charges: Interest is applied to any unpaid VAT starting from the original due date.
  • Legal disputes: Unclear tax classifications can trigger costly legal disputes and uncertainty, as seen in the M&S case.

Laura added:

Many small food businesses are innovating with exciting menus, but if you misjudge a VAT rule, you could face a costly inspection. For small food businesses hoping to jump on this summer’s trends, the message is clear – check your tax classification before putting sweet sandwiches on the menu.”

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