Concerns over the cost of food continue to dominate the minds of UK consumers, according to the latest annual Consumer Insights Tracker (CIT) report from the Food Standards Agency (FSA). The report, summarising data collected between April 2025 and March 2026, highlights that food prices were the most frequently cited concern among respondents, with 91% expressing worry in March 2026. This level of concern has remained consistently high, fluctuating between 86% and 92% since the tracker began in July 2023.
Despite the widespread concern about food prices, a significantly smaller proportion of individuals, 23% in March 2026, stated they were worried about their household's ability to afford food in the upcoming month. This figure has remained relatively stable, ranging from 19% to 28% over the tracking period. However, the report also revealed that many consumers are adopting various food-related behaviours to save money, some of which could pose food safety risks.
Among the most common money-saving tactics reported in March 2026 were eating food past its 'use by' date (64%), consuming leftovers kept in the fridge for more than two days (60%), and reducing the overall amount of food purchased (52%). Other behaviours included reheating leftovers more than once to avoid waste (39%) and turning off ovens or hobs early to finish cooking with residual heat (33%). These practices underscore the financial pressures many UK households are currently experiencing.
Katie Pettifer, CEO of the FSA, acknowledged these findings, stating, "This latest data shows that food prices remain a top concern this year for most people we surveyed. Many people said that to save money they’d done risky things, like eating food past its use by date." In response, the FSA launched its 'Stop. Think. Serve' campaign on 7 June, aiming to provide advice on safe food preparation and cooking, particularly for vulnerable individuals, throughout the summer months.
Beyond price, other significant consumer concerns in March 2026 included ultra-processed food (77%), food waste within the food chain (77%), animal welfare in the food industry (76%), and food quality (76%). Catherine David, CEO at WRAP, emphasised the financial impact of food waste, noting that 60% of all wasted food originates from homes, costing the average household of four around £1,000 annually. WRAP's 'Love Food Hate Waste' campaign offers resources on 'Good Food Habits' to help consumers safely store and use food more efficiently, thereby saving money and reducing waste.