Consumer Insights Tracker (April 2025 – June 2025)

Consumer Insights Tracker - April to June 2025 Report

1. Key findings

• Approximately a fifth (22%) were worried about being able to afford food in June 2025. This is in line with May (22%) and March (21%) but is slightly lower than the 25% recorded in April 2025.

• The most reported money saving behaviour in June 2025 is eating food past its use by date (66%), up from 63% in May. 63% reported eating leftovers that had been kept in the fridge for more than two days and 55% said they had cut down on the amount of food bought.

• Food prices were the top food concern from April to June 2025, as in previous waves. This was followed by a range of other concerns such as food waste and the amount of salt, sugar, fat or calories in food (both of which were added to the tracker in April).

• Among those with some knowledge of the Food Standards Agency (FSA), the proportion who trust the FSA to do its job rose from 61% in April 2025 to 66% in May (the highest figure seen across the time series), before returning to comparable levels to March 2025 (64%) in June (64%). This continues the upward trend seen since December 2024.

• In June 2025, one in nine reported having used cannabidiol (CBD) products in the last 6 months (11%), consistent with December 2024. Of those who had used CBD products in the last 6 months, 32% said they typically consumed 1-10mg a day.

• Close to four in five (79%) were aware of the term ‘lab grown meat’ in April 2025, an increase from 72% in October 2024. In the same period, the proportion who think cell-cultivated meat should be on sale in the future (31% Oct 24, 32% Apr 25) and would be willing to include it in their diet (26% Oct 24, 28% Apr 25) has remained consistent.

2. Background and methodological information

2.1. Survey topics

This report presents findings for topics we track regularly including consumer concerns in relation to food, food affordability, and confidence in the FSA as a regulator. The core questions in this survey underwent review before the launch of the April 2025 survey. Some new questions and/or statements were introduced, resulting in a new timeseries for some questions and/or statements. Please see the notes on each of the figures in this report for more information.

Between April and June 2025, questions were also asked about consumer views on food regulations (April), cell-cultivated products (CCPs - April), Antimicrobial resistance (May) and CBD products (June). Findings for CCPs and CBD products can be found in this report. Data for all topical questions can be found in the accompanying data tables.

2.2. Method

• This research was conducted online using the YouGov panel which gives access to 400,000 active panel members in the UK.

• This report presents findings from April – June 2025. Where appropriate, comparisons are made to previous waves since July 2023.

• Across England, Wales and Northern Ireland 2,120 people took part in the survey in April (4th – 7th), 2,153 in May (2nd – 7th) and 2,143 in June 2025 (6th – 10th).

• Quotas were set by age, gender, education and region. The data is also weighted to be representative of the population by these demographic variables. All results are based on final weighted data.

2.3. Notes for interpretation

• Reporting convention (↑ / ↓ on graphs): The Consumer Insights Tracker uses t-tests to assess differences over time and between groups, and highlights those where the p value is <0.05. Due to the quota sampling methodology used this is not an exact test of whether differences are statistically significant and indicative of real changes in wider population. However, they may highlight where there could be shifts in behaviour or attitudes and further research would be required to assess if these changes are real.

• Online panel survey: As respondents are selected from an online panel, people without internet access are not represented.

• Percentages: Figures may not add up to 100% on graphs due to figures being rounded to the nearest whole number, or because in some questions, respondents were able to select multiple answers. In some cases, rounding may make changes appear smaller or larger than they are in the underlying data. Statistical tests have been conducted using the unrounded figures.

3. Results

3.1. Food affordability

The proportion who reported worrying about their household not being able to afford food rose slightly in April 2025 (25%) before returning to levels comparable to March (21%) in May (22%) and June 2025 (22%).

Figure 1.Proportion who reported worrying about their household not being able to afford food in the next month

Note: The new data points (from April to June) are shown in a different colour.
Q3m. To what extent, if at all, are you worried you/your household will not be able to afford food in the next month? Base: All in June 2025 (n=2,143), May (n=2,153), April (n=2,120), March (n=2,051), February (n=2,097), January (n=2,080), December (n=2,036), November (n=2,022), October (n=2,008), September (n=2,014), August (n=2,008), July (n=2,070), June (n=2,056), May (n=2,067), April (n=2,061), March (n=2,015), February (n=2,066), January 2024 (n=2,038), December (n=2,026), November (n=2,064), October (n=2,062), September (n=2,057), August (n=2,044) and July 2023 (n=2,085).

The proportion of respondents who reported eating food past its use by date to save money increased in June 2025 to 66% to become the most reported money saving behaviour (as shown in Figure 2).

Figure 2.Proportion who reported money saving behaviours in the last month

Note: Q6_NEW1. The next question is about behaviours you have done to save money, for example to reduce your food shopping costs or energy bills. In the last month, which, if any, of the following have you or someone in your household done to save money? This question was introduced in May 2025. Base: All in June 2025 (n=2,143) and May (n=2,153). Figures shown in chart are the proportion ‘Yes, I or someone in my household have done this every week’, ‘Yes, I or someone in my household have done this some weeks but not every week’ and ‘Yes, I or someone in my household have done this just one week in the last month’. Differences compared to May 2025 shown with arrows, please see background section for more information.

3.2. Food concerns

From April to June 2025 the top food concern remained food prices (as shown in Figure 3).

Figure 3.Proportion who reported concern about food by topic

Note: Q12. Thinking about food in the UK in general. At the moment, how concerned, if at all, do you feel about each of the following topics? Some statements were introduced in April 2025, for others wording was slightly updated. Base: All in June 2025 (n=2,143), May (n=2,153) and April (n=2,120). Respondents were shown all of the topics listed and asked how concerned, if at all, they felt about each. Figures shown in chart are the proportion ‘highly concerned’ or ‘somewhat concerned’. Differences compared to May 2025 shown with arrows, please see background section for more information.

3.3. The Food Standards Agency

As shown in Figure 4, trust in the Food Standards Agency (FSA) rose slightly between April 2025 (61%) and May 2025 (66%) but returned to comparable levels with March 2025 (64%) in June 2025 (64%). Since December 2024 (57%), trust has been trending upwards.

Figure 4.Proportion who trust the FSA to do its job (among those with knowledge of the FSA)

Note: The new data points (from April to June) are shown in a different colour.
Q16. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is the Government Agency responsible for food safety in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. How much do you trust or distrust the Food Standards Agency to do its job? That is to make sure that food is safe and what it says it is. Base: Those who know a little / a lot about the FSA in June 2025 (n=1,346), May (n=1,324), April (n=1,343), March (n=1,138), February (n=1,190), January (n=1,231), December 2024 (n=1,193), November (n=1,139), October (n=1,173) September (n=1,063), August (n=1,109), July (n=1,140), June (n=1,163), May (n=1,161), April (n=1,137), March (n=1,137), February (n=1,127) January (n=1,168) December (n=1,134), November (n=1,183), October (n=1,175), September (n=1,161) and August 2023 (n=1,126).

3.4. Food safety topics

From April to June 2025, the food safety topics that respondents said they had seen, heard or read about most were the recall of food products and food hygiene ratings of businesses (as shown in Figure 5).

Figure 5.Proportion who were aware of food safety topics

Note: NEWC1. In the past month, which, if any, of the following food safety topics have you seen, read or heard any information about? This could have been in the news, on social media, via word. Not displaying none of these. Base: All in June 2025 (n=2,143), May (n=2,153) April (n=2,120). Differences compared to May 2025 shown with arrows, please see background section for more information.

Across the quarter, respondents most commonly said they had seen, read or heard something about any of these topics in the news (52%) on social media (36%) and word of mouth (24%).

3.5. Cannabidiol (CBD)

In June 2025, 1 in 9 (11%) reported they had consumed CBD in the last 6 months (as shown in Figure 6).

Figure 6.Proportion who have reported consuming CBD in the last 6 months

Note: QCBD1. Have you used or consumed products containing CBD in the last 6 months? Base: All in June 2025 (n=2,143), December 2024 (n=2,036). Differences compared to December 2024 shown with arrows, please see background section for more information.

As shown in Figure 7, among those who reported they had consumed CBD, close to a third (32%) reported they consumed 1-10mg on a typical day. 42% said they do not know how much they consume.

Figure 7.Amount of CBD consumed in a typical day

Note: QCBD4. When you consume CBD, how much would you typically consume in a day? If this varies, please select the average amount. Base: All who have consumed CBD June 2025 (n=220) and December 2024 (n=237). Differences compared to December 2024 shown with arrows, please see background section for more information.

Most (54%) who reported they had consumed CBD in the last 6 months said they decide on a suitable dose by following the instructions on the packaging. This has remained consistent since December 2024 (53%), as shown in Figure 8.

Figure 8.Deciding on a suitable dose

Note: QCBD3. When using or consuming products containing CBD, typically how do you decide what a suitable dose or serving is? Please select all that apply. Base: All who have consumed CBD June 2025 (n=220) and December (n=237). Differences compared to December 2024 shown with arrows, please see background section for more information.

Figure 9 shows CBD drinks (63%) and oils (60%) are the products that respondents were most likely to report using in the last 6 months in June 2025. Oils were the product used most often with 16% reporting that they used them most days or every day.

Figure 9.Frequency of CBD consumption by product

Note: QCBD2. How often, if at all, have you used or consumed the following products containing CBD in the last 6 months? Please select one answer only for each statement. Base: All who have consumed CBD June 2025 (n=220).

3.6. Cell-cultivated products (CCPs)

As shown in Figure 10, awareness of the term ‘lab grown meat’ was highest in April 2025 (79%); an increase since October 2024 (72%). Awareness of cell-cultivated meat and products remained stable between October 2024 and April 2025.

Figure 10.Awareness of cultivated product terms

Note: QCCP1. Before taking part in this survey had you heard of the following terms:
Figures shown in chart are the proportion ‘Yes, and I knew what it was’ and ‘Yes, but I didn’t know what it was’ Base: All in April 2025 (n=2,120) and October 2024 (n=2,009). Differences compared to October 2024 shown with arrows, please see background section for more information.

Figure 11 shows that in April 2025, respondents were more likely to think cell-cultivated meat should not be on sale (44%) than to think it should be on sale (32%) in the UK in the future. Similarly, they were more likely to say they are not willing to include it in their diet (57%) than to say they are willing (28%), as shown in Figure 12.

Figure 11.Should cell-cultivated meat be on sale in the UK in the future

Note: QCCP2. Do you think that cell-cultivated meat should or should not be on sale in the UK in the future? Base: All in April 2025 (n=2,120) and October 2024 (n=2,009).

Figure 12.Willingness to include cell-cultivated meat in diet

Note: QCCP3. If it was authorised for sale in the UK, how willing or unwilling would you be to include cell-cultivated meat in your diet? Figures shown in chart are the proportion ‘very’ and ‘somewhat’ willing/unwilling. Base: All in April 2025 (n=2,120) and October 2024 (n=2,009).

Figure 13.‘I am confident that regulation will prevent unsafe cell-cultivated meat being sold in the UK’

Note: QCCP6. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement: I am confident that regulation will prevent unsafe cell-cultivated meat being sold in the UK Figures shown in chart are the proportion ‘Strongly agree’ and ‘agree’/ ‘Strongly disagree’ and ‘disagree’. Base: All in April 2025 (n=2,120) and October 2024 (n=2,009).

As shown in Figure 14, animal welfare (44%) and sustainability (36%) were the most common perceived benefits of cell-cultivated meat in April 2025, while common concerns included safety (53%) and a perception of cell-cultivated meat being ‘unnatural’ (49%) (see Figure 15).

Figure 14.Perceived benefits of cell-cultivated meat

Note: QCCP4. What benefits, if any, do you think cell-cultivated meat could offer compared to traditional meat products? Select all that apply. Base: All in April 2025 (n=2,120).

Figure 15.Concerns around cell-cultivated meat

Note: QCCP5. What concerns, if any, do you have about cell-cultivated meat? Select all that apply. Base: All in April 2025 (n=2,120).

4. Further information

• visit our Consumer Insights Tracker webpage

• or please contact the FSA’s Analytics Unit

Acknowledgements

FS code FS900280