The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has called the government to review regulations and improve the UK’s recycling infrastructure to help reduce costs for the consumer amid soaring inflation.
The calls come as ffood price inflation has hit its highest level for over 10 years, with the FDF warning that the figure is likely to continue growing “in the months to come”.
Currently, the food and non-alcoholic price rise sits at 5.9% – which is highest figure since September 2011.
READ MORE: FDF warns government must act now to ease ‘inevitable’ food price inflation
The 0.8% increase from February figures have continued to impact low-income households the hardest.
Additionally, the food body’s CEO Karen Betts explained that “food and drink manufacturers are doing all they can to absorb rises in their ingredient, raw material and energy costs. ”
However, businesses are also struggling with “remaining viable” with the “reality of current inflation means that some price increases are having to be passed on.”
As a result, the Betts has called on the government to “conduct a robust review of regulation and to act where that’s adding to price rises in shops without a like benefit to shoppers.”
Specifically singled out is plastics packaging where the UK’s recycling infrastructure is “lagging behind”, and costs are unfairly passed onto consumers instead of “prompting necessary government investment.”
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