Pantry pain: 3 million Australians have eaten expired food to cut costs
Key takeaways
- 68% of Australians are taking action to save at the supermarket.
- The average household reports spending $206 per week on groceries.
- 2% – around 435,000 Australians – admit they have stolen food to get by.
Millions of households are going to extreme lengths to save money on groceries, according to new research by Finder.
A Finder survey of 1,010 respondents revealed 68% of Australians have resorted to money-saving measures to afford food.
Alarmingly, 14% of Australians – equivalent to 3 million people – admit they have eaten expired food to cut costs.
The financial strain has become so severe that 4% of Australians – equivalent to around 870,000 people – admit they have deliberately scanned items as cheaper products at supermarket self-serve checkouts.
A further 2% – around 435,000 Australians – admit they have stolen food to get by.
Finder's research shows many households are adopting legitimate money-saving strategies, including 42% who have switched to supermarket home-brand products.
Sarah Megginson, personal finance expert at Finder, said some Australians are reaching breaking point.
"When people are eating expired food or resorting to theft to feed themselves, it's a sign the cost-of-living crisis is pushing some households into genuine financial hardship.
"Most Australians are doing the right thing by switching to cheaper brands or changing what they buy, but for some families those options simply aren't enough anymore."
The research shows 1 in 3 (32%) are buying groceries in bulk and 30% are sticking to seasonal fruit and vegetables to cut costs.
Meanwhile, almost 1 in 4 (24%) are purchasing imperfect fruit and vegetables, while 17% have cut meat from their diet to save money.
The average Australian reports spending $206 per week on groceries for their household, according to July data from Finder's Consumer Sentiment Tracker (CST).
Megginson said Aussies struggling with grocery costs should review all of their major expenses, not just their supermarket bill.
"It's worth looking beyond the weekly grocery shop.
"Comparing your mortgage, insurance, energy and internet bills could free up hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year, easing pressure on the household budget."
Have you done any of the following to save money on food?
| Switched to supermarket brands | 42% |
| Bulk-buy | 32% |
| Pick only in-season fruit and vegetables | 30% |
| Buy the ugly fruit and vegetables to save money | 24% |
| Cut out meat | 17% |
| Eaten expired food to save money | 14% |
| Scan items as cheaper items | 4% |
| Steal | 2% |
| None of the above | 32% |
| Source: Finder survey of 1,010 respondents, June 2026 |  |
Credits
- PR & Insights research team: Taylor Blackburn, Kate Boddington, Natascha Kwiet-Evans, William Capada
- Survey operation: Qualtrics
Sources
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