Shoppers are paying more than double for some of the most popular branded foods in the supermarkets, according to new research.
An investigation from Which? looked at how prices have changed over two years at a time where household finances are being squeezed by the cost of living crisis.
The consumer champion looked at 79 branded items - including Heinz Ketchup, Dolmio sauce and Anchor butter - across six supermarkets.
Heinz Tomato Ketchupin a top-down squeeze bottle (460g) saw the biggest average increase of all the items - costing shoppers 91p (53%) more over the two-year period.
Dolmio Lasagne Sauce (470g) shot up by 61p (47%) on average - but in one supermarket, the price was up £1.09 (107%).
The biggest price increase was a box of Twinings of London Everyday 100 Tea Bags, which was found to be £2.33 (64%) more expensive at one supermarket.
Anchor Spreadable butter cost an extra £1.31 (45%) on average, which Lurpak Spreadable Slightly Salted Tub (500g) saw an average increase of £1.17 (35%).
Which? looked at prices at Asda, Morrisons, Ocado, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose over a 30 day period, from September 21 to October 20, in both 2020 and 2022.
The Mirror has contacted all these supermarkets for comment.
It comes as the rate of UK inflation hit a 40-year-high of 10.1% - with the price of food and energy being blamed as the may contributors.
Food and non-alcoholic beverage prices rose by 14.5% in the 12 months to September 2022.
Sue Davies, Which? Head of Food Policy, said: “Our research shows the shocking rate of inflation on some of the nation’s favourite branded foods, which is much higher than the national average and highlights why it is so important for retailers to provide people with a choice of product ranges.
“Supermarkets must ensure budget lines for healthy and affordable essential items are widely available across their stores including smaller convenience stores.
“Promotions should be targeted at those most in need and people supported so they can easily compare the price of products to get the best value."
Which? believes supermarkets need to do more to support all consumers through the crisis by making sure food prices are easy to understand to make budgeting much simpler.
List of 30 items and average price rises over two years
- Heinz Tomato Ketchup Sauce - Top Down 460g - 53%
- Dolmio Lasagne Sauce 470g - 47%
- Heinz Classic Cream Of Chicken Soup 400g - 46%
- Dolmio Bolognese Original Pasta Sauce 500g - 46%
- Anchor Spreadable Butter Tub 500g - 45%
- Heinz Cream Of Tomato Soup 400g - 44%
- Colman's Classic Mint Sauce 165g - 44%
- Colman's Horseradish Sauce 136g - 44%
- Batchelors Super Noodles Bbq Beef Flavour 90g - 43%
- Hovis Granary Wholemeal 800g - 43%
- Sharwoods Butter Chicken Simmer Sauce X 420g - 39%
- Cravendale Semi Skimmed Milk 1000ml - 38%
- Sharwoods Balti Cooking Sauce 420g - 38%
- Sharwoods Korma Sauce 420g - 38%
- Lurpak Spreadable Slightly Salted Tub 500g -35%
- Hellmanns Real Squeezy Mayonnaise 750ml - 35%
- Muller Corner Vanilla & Banana Chocolate Balls & Flakes 6x130g 780g - 34%
- McCain Home Chips Straight Cut 1000g - 34%
- Birds Eye 10 Original Potato Waffles 567g - 33%
- Green Giant Salt Free Naturally Sweet Sweetcorn 198g - 30%
- Dr. Oetker Ristorante Mozzarella Pizza 335g - 30%
- Birds Eye Frozen Garden Peas 375g - 28%
- Cathedral City Extra Mature 350g - 26%
- Walkers Cheese & Onion Crisps 6X25g 150g - 26%
- Pukka Pies All Steak Pie 209g - 26%
- Magnum Almond Ice Cream 4 x 100ml 400ml - 26%
- Hovis Soft White Thick Bread Loaf 800g - 24%
- McVities Biscuits Ginger Nuts 250g - 22%
- Hovis Soft White Medium Bread Loaf 800g - 22%
- Cif Power And Shine Bathroom Cleaner Spray 700ml - 22%
