The new rules of the Food Worker Program in Brazil aim to standardize practices and reduce abuses while ensuring food benefits are exclusively used for food-related expenses.
On Tuesday, February 10, new regulations for Brazil's Food Worker Program (PAT) came into effect, impacting not only workers but also employers, benefit operators, and commercial establishments such as restaurants and supermarkets. These changes are designed to tackle abuses within the sector, standardize compliance across benefit operators, and enhance financial predictability for food sellers by ensuring that the food allowance is strictly utilized for its intended purpose, which is to support food purchases.
Key changes include setting new ceilings for transaction fees: a 3.6% cap on MDR (Merchant Discount Rate), a 2% limit on interchange fees, and a mandatory payment transfer period of 15 days. Additionally, the rules outline a timeline where by May 10, 2026, there will be a transition towards interoperability allowing food benefit cards to be accepted at a wider range of terminals, and by November 2026, full interoperability will be implemented meaning any card will work on any payment terminal across Brazil.
These modifications not only enhance the efficiency and integrity of the food benefit system but also aim to provide greater transparency and equity among stakeholders in the food service industry. They reflect a broader commitment by the Ministry of Labor and Employment to safeguard workers' rights and ensure that the intended benefits of programs like the PAT are fully realized, thus directly supporting workforce well-being through nutritional access.
