FAMILIES face fresh pain at supermarket tills as food inflation soared to its highest level in nearly a year and a half.
The increase was fuelled by surging costs for butter, chocolate and eggs.
Food prices rose by 4.2 per cent this month, up from four per cent in July, figures from the British Retail Consortium-NIQ show.
It is the steepest jump since February 2024.
Inflation for fresh food hit 4.1 per cent — up from 3.2 per cent last month — on the back of an increase in dairy prices.
It comes even as inflation for ambient food — non-perishable items such as tins — slowed to 4.2 per cent from 5.1 per cent.
The Bank of England has already admitted the increase in National Insurance contributions helped fuel rising food costs.
BRC chief Helen Dickinson said: “Shop price inflation hit its highest rate since March 2024. It adds pressure to families who are already grappling with the cost of living.
“Retailers continue to do everything they can to limit price rises, but costs flowing through from last year’s Budget has created an uphill battle.”
Bosses at Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Boots have piled pressure on Chancellor Rachel Reeves not to hammer them with fresh taxes in the autumn Budget.
In a letter co-ordinated by the BRC, they suggested food and drink inflation could hit six per cent later this year.
Mike Watkins at NIQ said: “The uptick reflects global supply costs, seasonal food inflation driven by weather, the end of promotions and a rise in underlying operational costs.
“As shoppers return from holidays, many may need to reassess household budgets.”