UK food prices dissuade against healthy eating according to research - Food Industry Report - Brief Article

Eurofood, Nov 8, 2001

According to a report published recently by the UK's leading independent food watchdog the Food Commission, the cost of eating healthily has seen a sharp rise.

The survey showed that buying the healthier options compared to standard products, cost consumers half as much again.

Researchers compared the cost of 18 regular foods with the same number of similar, but healthier products. When a similar exercise was carried out in 1988, the commission found consumers had to pay an extra 18% for the healthier foods. In 1995, the difference was 37%, and in 2001 the difference was an enormous 51%.

CONCERN

The commission are concerned that the higher cost was already a significant disincentive for those with a tight budget to follow a healthy diet, now it seems price will discriminate between those who are able to pursue a healthier lifestyle and those who are not.

The standard basket included items such as whole milk, white bread and lard, while the healthier one contained semi-skimmed milk, wholemeal bread and vegetable oil.