Business · Companies · 20 hrs ago
Brazil meal and food benefit cards still do not work at all terminals
Meal and food benefit cards still do not work at every payment terminal in Brazil, according to supermarkets, restaurants and payment companies.
The cards are part of the government’s Worker Food Programme, known as PAT, and are issued by different benefit companies.
A November 2025 decree required those companies to let cards from different issuers work at the same terminals, with a 360-day deadline that ended on November 7.
The deadline passed without full connection between the companies’ networks, leaving some customers unable to use their cards at participating businesses.
Benefit companies say they need clearer technical rules and government regulation, while Brazil’s Labour Ministry says companies are responsible for making the necessary changes.
The decree required the connection even without additional regulation, and payment-sector experts say the companies have the technical knowledge to carry it out.
No further deadline or specific next step is stated.
Meal and food benefit cards are still not accepted at all payment terminals in Brazil, according to supermarkets, restaurants and payment companies.
The legal deadline for benefit companies to enable interoperability ended on November 7.
A November 2025 federal decree requires brands in the Worker Food Program to share networks of participating establishments.
Benefit companies say technical and operational rules are still unclear and seek further government regulation.
Brazil’s Ministry of Labour and Employment says companies are responsible for the technical and commercial changes needed.
- Who
- Supermarkets, restaurants and payment companies reported the problem. Benefit card companies are required to enable interoperability.
- What
- Meal and food benefit cards are still not accepted at all terminals.
- When
- The 360-day deadline ended on November 7, 2026.
- Where
- Brazil.
- Why
- Benefit companies cite missing technical and operational definitions. The Ministry of Labour and Employment says companies are responsible for implementing the necessary changes.
Benefit card companies
Payment systems experts
Need for regulation
Benefit card companies
Benefit companies say technical and operational definitions are missing and call for government regulation.
Payment systems experts
Experts say the sector has the technical knowledge to make interoperability work.
Readiness to implement
Benefit card companies
Benefit companies say the transition should be gradual and depends on clear guidance and alignment.
Payment systems experts
Experts say interoperability could be implemented in less than six months if companies were compelled by a court or the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
The federal government signed a decree requiring Worker Food Program brands to ensure full interoperability.
The 360-day legal deadline for benefit companies to comply ended.
CNN Brasil reported that the cards were still not accepted at all terminals.
- Deadline
- 360 days, ending November 7, 2026
- Decree
- Signed in November 2025
- Required change
- Full interoperability and sharing networks of participating establishments
- Companies named
- Ticket, Pluxee, VR and Alelo
- Responsible ministry
- Brazil’s Ministry of Labour and Employment
What people are saying
normative and supervisory, not operational
Opening and interoperability are principles that guide the card sector.
The voucher sector lacks openness and interoperability, which brings greater complexity, less reach and higher costs.