Popular family meals have increased in price by up to 27% within the past year at the major supermarkets as the cost of living crisis continues to impact households.
Consumer group Which? analysed the cost of nearly 26,000 food and drink items across eight supermarkets: Aldi, Asda, Lidl, Morrisons, Ocado, Sainsbury's, Tesco and Waitrose, finding sharp increases on several fridge and cupboard staples. The watchdog said that the "massive price hikes" uncovered in its research indicate how difficult it has become for families, particularly those on low incomes, to put food on the table.
Sue Davies, Which? head of food policy, said: "The cost of food during this period of economic uncertainty has turned the pleasure of mealtimes with loved ones into a nightmare for the millions that are struggling to afford food. Supermarkets must put their customers first by stocking budget lines in all of their stores, including convenience stores, to ensure easy access to basic, affordable food ranges as well as provide transparent pricing so people can easily work out which products offer the best value."
