India, Sept. 4 -- India's GST Council has finally laid to rest the controversy over taxation of salted popcorn and caramel popcorn. And you, dear reader, will be either enthused or disappointed-depending on your taste.

Under GST 2.0, popcorn mixed with salts and spices will attracted GST at 5%, whether sold loose or pre-packaged and labelled since that retains "essential character" of the snack. Caramel popcorn will be taxed at 18% as it's "non-essential" as a sugar confectionery, according to the list of items with new GST rates released by the government.

Earlier, salted popcorn was taxed at 5% if sold loose and at 12% if in branded packaging. Caramel popcorn was taxed at 18%, irrespective of the packaging.

When India's Goods and Ser...