The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has released its end of year report from its monthly Consumer Insights Tracker (CIT).
FSA summarised its key findings between April 2024 and March 2025, after its CIT monitored changes in consumers’ behaviours and attitudes in relation to food.
When asked about their concerns, nine in 10 people cited food prices, while more than three quarters of respondents expressed concern about ultra-processed or the over-processing of food. These levels have remained broadly stable since July 2023.
Respondents who were younger (16-34 – 29%), from an ethnic minority background (29%), parents (26%), have a disability or long-term health condition (26%) and living in the most deprived IMD deciles (1-3 – 25%) were the most likely to report being worried about food affordability in March 2025.
FSA said that while overall concern about food affordability had slightly decreased, there was a greater decline among some groups that were previously more worried about food affordability.
Among respondents with a disability or long-term health condition, worry has decreased by 8%, and it has decreased 6% among parents and those who live in the most deprived IMD areas. However, among other groups there has been no change. For example, among respondents aged 16-34 there was no decline and a non-significant decline among respondents from an ethnic minority background (-3%).
The survey also asked consumers about cell-cultivated meat, often referred to as ‘lab-grown meat’. Responses were mixed: 26% of respondents said they would be willing to give it a try when available, while 58% said they would not include it in their diet.
A total of 46% of respondents said that cell-cultivated meat should not be on sale in the future, while 31% said it should be. Nearly one in four (23%) were unsure.
The FSA launched a new food safety campaign on 7th June 2025, aimed at changing potentially risky practices in the kitchen.
Michelle Patel, deputy director of analysis at FSA, commented: “Our latest annual data shows that food prices remain a top concern for most people. It also shows that many people are doing risky things to save money. Our new campaign is aimed at helping people understand how to keep themselves and their families safe when cooking and preparing food at home.”
