This gave an inaccurate picture of the situation, the BRC argued, because promotions are spread out over the year, with an emphasis on treats during Easter and Christmas.
And it said that a comparison was made between the findings this Easter and others collected during the summer in 2007.
The BRC’s food director Andrew Opie claimed there is a “balance” of promotions over the course of 12 months and that consumers are probably aware of the availability and importance of healthier items such as fruit and vegetables.
“Retailers continue to develop healthier recipes but that has to go at a pace customers are comfortable with. No-one gains if customers reject new versions as bland or tasteless,” he said.
He added that consumers have more information on hand thanks to the efforts of retailers and that nutritious food is cheaper than a decade ago.
But Opie did concede that the report recognises the fact that a number of deals have offered consumers respite from the credit crunch.
