Beef drives food inflation up for fourth month in a row

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Higher beef and fresh produce prices pushed UK food inflation to rise for the fourth month in a row to its highest level in a year.

Food price increased 2.8% in the year to May, up from 2.6% in April, according to data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC), which represents supermarkets and other retailers.

Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC, said shops were passing on the costs of higher minimum wages and increased employer National Insurance contributions.

Nick Allen, of the British Meat Processors Association, told the BBC the price of beef had risen to "record levels" due to strong demand and lower supply.

He said competition between supermarkets had previously been keeping the price of beef down, so it was only a matter of time until customers were hit by cost increases.

"Its not surprise. The farm price for beef has been going up and up to the point that its now at record levels," Mr Allen said.