Meal voucher coverage declines for Brazilian workers

A study by Pluxee reveals that meal vouchers in Brazil are increasingly insufficient to cover workers' monthly food costs. In the Southern region, vouchers cover an average of 11 working days per month during the first half of 2026. Nationally, the average coverage dropped to 9 working days, a 4.4% decrease from the previous year.

The study highlights a significant gap between food inflation and benefit adjustments. While the IPCA for food outside the home rose by 6.2%, the face value of meal vouchers increased by only 1.5%. Consequently, workers must spend an average of R$ 589 of their own money to supplement their benefits.

In Santa Catarina, the average monthly out-of-pocket expenditure jumped to 103.1% of the benefit value. In Rio Grande do Sul, the average coverage is 10 working days, with out-of-pocket costs reaching 99.4% of the benefit value. Paraná remains the only state in the region with lower expenditure, averaging a 71.5% supplement.

Regarding the legal framework of these benefits, Brazilian legislation allows employers to deduct part of the cost from an employee's salary. For companies participating in the Worker's Food Program (PAT), this deduction cannot exceed 20% of the direct cost of the meal or food basket. For companies not in the PAT, deductions are governed by employment contracts and collective bargaining agreements.