Issues of concern for consumers
Food prices, ultra-processed food, food poverty and inequality continue to be the top three issues of most concern. Concern around animal welfare in the food industry has significantly increased to 75% from 69% in W21. The level of concern with the other aspects were similar to W21.
| Topic | W22 | W21 |
|---|---|---|
| Food prices | 89% | 90% |
| Ultra-processed, or over-processing of food | 79% | 78% |
| Food poverty and food inequality | 77% | 79% |
| Animal welfare in the food industry | 75% | 69% |
| Genetically modified (GM) food | 70% | 70% |
| The 'healthiness' of people's diets in general | 70% | 69% |
| *The quality of food in the UK | 56% | 51% |
| The information on food label being accurate | 55% | 55% |
| Food availability/food shortages | 54% | 55% |
| *The safety of food in the UK | 54% | 48% |
Demographic differences
Concern was high across almost all aspects among those who:
- females
- parents
- ethnic minorities
- said they’d been worried about being able to afford food in the last year
- believe calorie/nutritional information should be made available
The older age group (65+) were the least concerned about most of the aspects compared to the other age groups, apart from ultra-processed or over-processing of food where they were more likely to be concerned (83% compared to 76% of 35-64s).
There were fewer differences by sub-groups in relation to food prices suggesting this is a concern for all.
Concern about food prices and food shortages
Food prices were more likely to be a concern for those aged 35-64 compared to 16–34-year-olds but concern was similar across all other demographic groups. Females were more likely to be concerned about food poverty and inequality than males and the older age group. Those in the least deprived areas were the least concerned.
Levels of concern about food prices have remained the same this wave (89%) and similar to the last four waves. Concern about food shortages has shown a declining trend over the last few waves, although still on par with results reported at the height of Covid and EU Exit.
| Wave | Food prices | Food shortages |
|---|---|---|
| Wave 12 Jul 21 | 71% | 55% |
| Wave 13 Dec 21 | 80% | 63% |
| Wave 14 Jul 22 | 85% | 70% |
| Wave 15 Dec 22 | 88% | 72% |
| Wave 16 Jul 23 | 87% | 66% |
| Wave 17 Dec 23 | 93% | 57% |
| Wave 18 Jun 24 | 90% | 62% |
| Wave 19 Dec 24 | 90% | 58% |
| Wave 20 Jul 25 | 90% | 56% |
| Wave 21 Dec 25 | 90% | 55% |
| Wave 22 June 26 | 89% | 54% |