Food prices in Britain are rising at near-record levels as the cost-of-living crisis bites, according to new data. Kantar said inflation in February was 4.3 percent, with prices rising fastest for savoury snacks, fresh beef, and cat food, while the cost of bacon, beer, lager, and spirits fell. Sales in the 12 weeks to February 20 were down 3.7 percent compared with the same period a year ago but the data research group said this was mainly due to tough comparisons with 2021, when the country was in lockdown. Supermarket sales remain 8.4 percent above pre-pandemic levels, Kantar added, despite a shift towards eating out again, and there was growth in on-the-go eating as staff returned to offices. Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Kantar, said: “Apart from the start of the pandemic, when we saw grocers cut promotional deals to maintain availability, this is the fastest …