ANTI-INFLATION BASKET. Meat, organic products, vegetables… The government system is being refined a few weeks before its release. Everything you need to know about the anti-inflation basket.
[Mis à jour le 9 février 2023 à 09h36] From the beginning of March, the government should set up its anti-inflation basket, in consultation with large retailers. And we know a little more about this new device, and the products concerned. First, as reported The Parisian, the distributor (Carrefour, Auchan or Lidl for example) will be able to choose the desired products from five categories such as hygiene products, or fresh products, so as to constitute its own anti-inflation basket of approximately 50 products, supposed to present the best value for money for customers. The customer can decide to choose one, several, or all of the items in this basket. The operation could be completed at the end of June 2023. Note that this anti-inflation basket will not contain alcohol or sweets, but five fruits and vegetables, three of which are organic. Finally, distributors must clearly display these baskets in stores, as well as on their website.
On the distributor side, one brand already stands out from the others, it’s System U with its own anti-inflation basket of 150 products “at cost price” since February 1st. Unfortunately, theUFC-Que-Choose, the leading consumer association in France, deplores the nutritional quality of the products on offer: “we have counted 17 rated E and 31 rated D, i.e. 39% whose nutritional rating is mediocre to poor. For the others, 28% are A, 10 % are B and 14% are C.” On the other hand, several organic products are part of the list. The association also regrets that “all of this offer” is not “always available” in stores. A perfectible device, therefore, but which remains the first introduced on the market.
The government has not yet determined a precise list of the products that will make up this anti-inflation basket. The list should correspond to the needs of a family with children including five fruits and vegetables with three organic, two starchy foods, red or white meat including one labeled, fish, and dental hygiene products. However, this basket will not contain alcohol or any confectionery. Here are the 5 main families of products that will constitute the anti-inflation basket proposed by the government:
- Hygiene products
- Fresh products
- Frozen products
- Grocery
- Cleanliness
All consumers, without distinction, should have access to this anti-inflation basket. It should not be conditional on the level of income.
“It is not up to the government to set the references. And if the prices are low, it is not on the backs of our farmers or our producers that these margins must be found” explained Olivia Grégoire on Europe 1. Clearly, each sign will be free to draw up its list.
The sign U-system has already launched its own anti-inflation basket, with 150 products at cost price, from February 1, 2023. This indefinite duration scheme concerns 150 products such as flour, pasta, mayonnaise, oil , coffee, honey, tuna, yogurts, milk, sandwich bread and other burgers. Exclusively private label products.
For its part, the sign Crossroads launched the “anti-inflation challenge”, 30 essential products for less than 30 euros. At Leclerc, an “anti-inflation shield” has been established. “Because inflation continues to take an important place in our lives, we have decided to strengthen our anti-inflation shield and extend it to more than 230 everyday products” can we read on the official website of the brand .
The massive rise in the price of raw materials affecting the cost of food for all French people has prompted the government to act. According to the research company IRIfood prices rose by 13.85% in January 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. An unbearable situation for many low-income households, combined with soaring fuel and electricity prices. De facto, the executive wishes to protect the purchasing power of households thanks to this new device.