Inflation is dramatically affecting all areas of life, but price increases are particularly noticeable in supermarket shopping. A new investigation by the consumer group Which? shows that some of the UK's favourite branded foods may have risen much more sharply than the 14.7 per cent inflation rate for groceries overall; the worst items, according to Which?, went up by more than 100 per cent over two years.

For the investigation, the prices of 79 branded items at six supermarkets (Asda, Morrisons, Ocado, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose) were compared across the same month in 2020 and 2022. Heinz Tomato Ketchup saw the biggest average percentage increase overall (up by 53 per cent or 91p); second on the list of branded foods with the biggest price increase was Dolmio Lasagne Sauce (up by 47 per cent or 61p), and in one supermarket it increased by 107 per cent, or £1.09. However, the sharpest individual price increase in absolute terms has been for Twinings of London Everyday 100 Tea Bags, which costs an extra £2.33 in 2022 compared to 2020.

Which? states that choosing own-label groceries can save consumers money, with the consumer group launching a campaign calling for affordable food for all.

The branded groceries with the biggest price increase in the past two years:

Heinz Tomato Ketchup 460g (top down)      53%

Dolmio Lasagne Sauce 470 g                        47%

Heinz Classic Cream of Chicken Soup           46%

Dolmio Bolognese Original Pasta Sauce       46%

Anchor Spreadable Butter 500 g tub             45%

Heinz Cream of Tomato Soup                        44%

Colman´s Horseradish Sauce 136 g               44%

Colman´s Classic Mint Sauce                         44%

Source: Which?