Increase in UK confectionery purchases

The department's Family Food Expenditure 2004-5 report shows that only boiled sweets and mints showed a fall from the previous year.

The statistics suggest that the confectionery sector remains stable despite increasing concern over healthy eating habits.

With almost 14 per cent of Britain's children obese in 2003, compared to 9.6 per cent in 1995, sugary snacks and beverages have become increasingly unpopular. But the confectionery sector appears to have been able to withstand this current trend.

The expenditure report also revealed that the average UK citizen spends £34.31 per week on food and drink. Compared to estimates from the previous year, the survey revealed that household expenditure on fresh fruit increased by 2.7 per cent and on fresh vegetables by 2.8 per cent (excluding potatoes).

Wholemeal bread expenditure increased by 24.2 per cent, while white bread sales decreased by 6.6 per cent.

The department's Family Food Expenditure 2004-5 report is the latest in a series of annual Defra reports recording estimates of food and drink purchases in the UK.

Family Food Expenditure presents the latest emerging trends in purchases and eating habits by type of food and nutrient content.

For example, the report showed that alcohol consumption at home was down by 3.7 per cent. When consumed outside the home, alcohol was also down by 7.3 per cent.

Sales of semi-skimmed milk meanwhile were up by 8.9 per cent, while household purchases of liquid whole milk dropped by 18 per cent. Total purchases of fats and oils decreased by 2.3 per cent.

Britons therefore, appear to be eating more healthily. This is just as well. Less than half of the British population does enough exercise to meet the government's recommended 150 minutes per week, according to Deloitte's 'Health of the Nation' report, published at the end of March.