Food and non-alcoholic drink prices increased by 4.6% over the past year, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) data from the Central Statistics Office. This rise was attributed to higher costs for essential items such as milk, meat, cheese, and eggs. Overall, the CPI rose by 1.8% from June 2024 to June 2025.

The increase in food prices was notable among various categories, with specific products like chocolate and butter also seeing price hikes. For example, the average cost of a white sliced pan went up by 6 cents, while a brown sliced pan increased by 5 cents during this period.

In addition to food costs, recreation and culture expenses rose by 3.5%, largely due to more expensive package holidays. Prices at restaurants and hotels also climbed because of higher charges for alcoholic drinks and meals consumed on-site; however, this was somewhat balanced out by lower hotel accommodation costs.

Excluding energy and unprocessed foods, the CPI showed a growth of 2% over the same year. On the other hand, clothing and footwear saw a decline of 2.3%, while transport costs dropped by 2%, mainly due to reduced airfares and fuel prices.

Housing-related expenses increased primarily due to rising rents and electricity costs but were partially offset by lower liquid fuel prices for home heating oil. The average price for a take-home can of lager decreased slightly while that of cider went up marginally; however, pub prices for pints of stout and lager both saw significant increases compared to last year.

Original article

This article doesn't really give you anything you can do about the rising food and drink prices. It tells you what's happening, but it doesn't provide concrete steps or plans to help you deal with these changes. It lacks actionable information, which means you won't find any specific behaviors or decisions you can make based on what you read. In terms of educational depth, the article mostly sticks to surface-level facts about price increases without explaining why these changes are happening or how they fit into a bigger picture. It doesn't teach you something new or meaningful beyond what's on the surface. The subject matter is somewhat personally relevant because it talks about costs of living and expenses that could affect your daily life, but it doesn't offer anything that would directly influence your decisions or behavior in a significant way. The article doesn't serve a strong public service function since it doesn't provide access to resources, safety protocols, or official statements that you could use. Any potential advice or recommendations are not explicitly stated and thus not practical for most readers. The article focuses on short-term price changes rather than encouraging long-term sustainable behaviors or knowledge. Emotionally, the article might leave you feeling informed but not empowered or motivated to take action. Lastly, the content seems more focused on reporting news rather than generating clicks or serving advertisements, as it presents factual information without sensational headlines or excessive engagement prompts. Overall, while the article informs you about current price trends, it falls short in providing actionable advice, educational depth, personal relevance, public service utility, practical recommendations, long-term impact, constructive emotional impact, and lacks significant value beyond basic information reporting.

The surge in food prices, particularly for essential items like milk, meat, cheese, and eggs, poses a significant threat to the well-being and survival of families, especially those with young children and elderly members. The 4.6% increase in food prices over the past year can lead to reduced purchasing power, forcing families to make difficult choices between basic necessities and other essential expenses.

This price hike can erode the ability of families to provide for their vulnerable members, undermining the natural duties of parents and extended kin to care for their loved ones. The increase in food prices may also lead to malnutrition, particularly among children and the elderly, who require adequate nutrition for growth and maintenance of health.

Furthermore, the rise in recreation and culture expenses, including package holidays and restaurant meals, may lead to a shift in family priorities, potentially diminishing the time and resources available for essential family activities and community bonding. This can fracture family cohesion and weaken the social structures that support procreative families.

The decline in clothing and footwear prices may seem like a positive development, but it can also be seen as a potential indicator of reduced quality or durability of these essential items, ultimately affecting the well-being of family members.

The increase in housing-related expenses, primarily due to rising rents and electricity costs, can further strain family budgets, making it challenging for them to maintain a stable and secure living environment. This can have long-term consequences on family stability, community trust, and the overall survival of local communities.

If these trends continue unchecked, families may be forced to rely on external support systems or distant authorities for assistance, potentially diminishing their autonomy and self-reliance. This can lead to a breakdown in local responsibility and community cohesion, ultimately threatening the survival of future generations.

In conclusion, the surge in food prices poses a significant threat to family well-being and survival. If left unchecked, this trend can have far-reaching consequences on community trust, family responsibilities, and the stewardship of the land. It is essential for families and local communities to prioritize self-reliance, resourcefulness, and mutual support to mitigate these effects and ensure their long-term survival.

The text states "the average cost of a white sliced pan went up by 6 cents, while a brown sliced pan increased by 5 cents during this period." This shows a bias towards providing specific details about price increases for certain food items, which may lead readers to focus on these particular products rather than the overall trend. The use of specific numbers and products helps to create a sense of precision and accuracy, which can make the information more believable and attention-grabbing. This type of bias can be seen as helping to emphasize the impact of price increases on consumers. The text's focus on these details may also distract from other aspects of the Consumer Price Index data.

The phrase "excluding energy and unprocessed foods, the CPI showed a growth of 2% over the same year" indicates a potential bias in the presentation of data. By excluding certain categories, the text may be shaping the reader's perception of the overall trend in prices. This exclusion can make the growth rate seem more moderate than it would if all categories were included. The use of this specific phrase helps to create a narrative that downplays the impact of certain factors on the CPI. This type of bias can be seen as helping to present a more favorable view of economic trends.

The sentence "clothing and footwear saw a decline of 2.3%, while transport costs dropped by 2%, mainly due to reduced airfares and fuel prices" shows a bias towards highlighting positive changes in certain areas. By emphasizing declines in prices, the text may be creating a sense of balance or optimism about economic trends. The use of words like "decline" and "dropped" helps to create a positive tone, which can influence how readers perceive the information. This type of bias can be seen as helping to counterbalance negative news about price increases.

The text mentions "housing-related expenses increased primarily due to rising rents and electricity costs but were partially offset by lower liquid fuel prices for home heating oil." This statement demonstrates a bias towards presenting complex information in a way that acknowledges both positive and negative factors. The use of phrases like "partially offset" helps to create a sense of nuance and balance, which can make the information seem more comprehensive and accurate. This type of bias can be seen as helping to provide a more realistic view of economic trends.

The phrase "the average price for a take-home can of lager decreased slightly while that of cider went up marginally" shows a potential bias in the presentationof data about alcohol prices. By focusing on specific types of beverages and using words like "slightly" and "marginally," the text may be downplaying the significance of price changes or creating a sense of contrast between different products. The use of these specific details helps to create a narrative that emphasizes subtle differences in pricing trends. This type of bias can be seen as helping to shape readers' perceptions about alcohol prices and consumer behavior.

The input text expresses several emotions, although they are subtle and often hidden beneath the surface of factual information. One of the primary emotions that appears is concern, which is conveyed through words and phrases that describe rising costs and increasing prices. For example, the text states that food and non-alcoholic drink prices "increased by 4.6% over the past year," which may cause readers to feel a sense of worry about their financial situation. This concern is further emphasized by the mention of specific products, such as milk, meat, cheese, and eggs, which are essential items that many people rely on. The strength of this emotion is moderate, as it is not overly dramatic or sensationalized, but rather presented in a straightforward and factual manner. The purpose of this concern is to inform readers about the current economic situation and potentially influence their opinions or behaviors related to budgeting and spending.

The text also conveys a sense of stability and balance, which serves to counteract the concern and worry that might be felt by readers. For instance, the text notes that clothing and footwear saw a decline of 2.3%, while transport costs dropped by 2%, which may provide some relief for readers who are concerned about rising costs. This balance is also reflected in the mention of lower hotel accommodation costs and reduced airfares, which suggests that not all expenses are increasing. The strength of this emotion is relatively mild, as it is not intended to overwhelm or dominate the reader's reaction. Instead, it serves to provide a more nuanced and realistic view of the economic situation, which can help to build trust with readers.

The writer uses emotion to persuade readers by carefully selecting words and phrases that carry emotional weight. For example, the use of words like "rose" and "increased" to describe price hikes creates a sense of upward momentum, which can be unsettling for readers who are concerned about their finances. In contrast, words like "decline" and "dropped" are used to describe decreases in costs, which can create a sense of relief or optimism. The writer also uses specific examples and anecdotes, such as the increase in the cost of a white sliced pan or the decrease in hotel accommodation costs, to make the information more relatable and engaging. These tools increase emotional impact by creating vivid mental images and making the information more memorable.

The writer's use of emotional language also serves to steer the reader's attention and thinking. By emphasizing certain aspects of the economic situation, such as rising food prices or decreasing transport costs, the writer can influence what readers focus on and how they interpret the information. For instance, the repeated mention of price increases may lead readers to prioritize budgeting or cost-cutting measures in their own lives. Similarly, the emphasis on balance and stability may encourage readers to take a more measured view of the economic situation, rather than reacting impulsively or emotionally. Overall, the writer's use of emotion helps to create a nuanced and engaging narrative that informs and persuades readers in a subtle yet effective manner.