The soaring popularity of weight-loss injections is having an unexpected side effect: it is helping to push up the cost of meat in British supermarkets. Industry experts warn that increased demand for high-quality protein from millions of people using these drugs is a key factor behind an anticipated sharp rise in prices for beef, lamb, chicken, and pork.
The Protein Demand Driving Inflation
Oisin Hanrahan, chief executive of the Tesco-backed supply chain platform Keychain, has highlighted a direct link between medication and market forces. He explained that while global instability and high energy costs are pressuring meat prices, a new source of demand is emerging. People using GLP-1 medications, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, often eat smaller portions but are advised to focus on nutrient-dense foods.
This has led to a significant spike in demand for high-quality protein sources, precisely the meats that form the core of many British diets. Mr Hanrahan stated he would not be surprised to see a 10 to 20 per cent increase on certain meat items over the course of the year, directly linking rising demand to rising costs.
Broader Context of Food Price Rises
The trend forms part of a wider pattern of food inflation. Figures from analysts Worldpanel show that inflation on fresh meat alone was running at 14.5 per cent for the four weeks ending December 2. Mr Hanrahan also pointed to other products, including chocolate, coffee, butter, and fruit, which have seen what he described as 'eye-watering' price increases in recent months.
In response to these mounting costs, he urged shoppers to be more flexible, suggesting they consider buying meat and other products that are on special offer rather than sticking rigidly to a pre-planned shopping list.
Long-Term Use of Medications May Be Necessary
The economic impact of these drugs is paralleled by new medical findings about their long-term use. A landmark study, co-authored by government adviser Professor Susan Jebb, analysed 37 studies involving over 9,300 people. It found that most users rapidly regain weight after stopping treatment, often putting on around a pound a month and returning to their original weight within 17 to 20 months.
This has led experts to warn that millions of Britons taking the jabs may need to stay on them for life to maintain their weight loss. Professor Jebb compared the ongoing need for GLP-1 drugs to lifelong medication for conditions like high blood pressure, stating that obesity should be viewed as a 'chronic relapsing condition'.
The drugs work by mimicking gut hormones to suppress appetite, but withdrawing that hormonal 'fix' can leave users vulnerable to intense rebound hunger, explaining the rapid weight regain.
