Large numbers of people struggled to keep warm and ate food past its use-by date in the build-up to Christmas, as prices continued to soar.

Nearly one in five adults surveyed said they had eaten smaller portions and food beyond its use-by date.

On food, use-by labels are the dates until which perishable food can be cooked and consumed safely.

Best-before guidance is different. It is for when the product should be consumed to get the best quality, taste and texture. A number of supermarkets have dropped the use of best-before labels claiming they create food waste when consumers could simply use their discretion instead.

In total, around one in seven (15%) adults were somewhat, or very, worried their food would run out before they had money to buy more.

Official data shows that food prices rose 16.8% in the year to December. Basics such as milk, cheese and eggs saw the largest increases.

Prices for sugar, jam, honey and chocolate, as well as soft drinks and juices, also jumped. However, price growth slowed for bread and cereals.