(Bloomberg) --
Cocktails in a can, vegetable crisps and reusable bottles are the latest additions to the basket of goods the U.K. statistics office uses to calculate inflation.
In its annual update to the selection of goods, the Office for National Statistics responded to changing British tastes by also including gluten-free cereal. Frozen chicken breasts and individual fruit pies were removed.
“The inclusion of the reusable bottle/mug in particular reflects environmental concerns to move away from single-use plastic to more sustainable items,” ONS senior statistician Philip Gooding said. “Vegetable crisps are added for the first time as we see a trend towards healthier eating.”
The nation’s inflation rate stood at 1.8% in January, below the Bank of England’s 2% target. The next release is due on March 25.
Below is a table of the changes made:
| Added | Removed |
| Gluten free breakfast cereal | Individual fruit pies |
| Crumpets | Home killed beef, topside |
| Beef roasting joint | Frozen imported leg of lamb |
| Fresh, diced/minced turkey | Frozen chicken breasts |
| Vegetable crisps | Fresh turkey steaks |
| Pre-mixed spirit drink | Softwood |
| Re-usable bottle/mug, for an adult | Car battery |
| Airport parking | Blu-ray player |
| DVD/Blu-ray player | DVD player, not portable |
| Portable digital music player | MP4 player |
| Computer games, by platform | Computer game, from top 20 chart |
| Gin | Burger in a bun, eat in |
| Burger in a bun | Burger in a bun, takeaway |
| Self-tanning product | Bank overdraft charges |
©2020 Bloomberg L.P.
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
POPULAR