Avocados, fonia, quinoa and dried papaya are among the products the Labour Government says could become cheaper under a new package of tariff cuts.
But the list has prompted accusations that ministers are out of touch with ordinary shoppers, with critics arguing many of the items bear little resemblance to a typical weekly shop.
One former senior Foreign Office official described the proposals as looking more like "a North London socialists' grocery shop" than a serious attempt to ease the cost of living.
The measures form part of a consultation on suspending tariffs on more than 100 products, including fruit and vegetables, cooking oils, baked goods, chocolate, sauces and soft drinks. ]
Alongside more unusual items, the list also includes everyday staples such as baked beans, bread, crisps, chocolate bars and tomato ketchup.
Ameer Kotecha, a former Foreign Office diplomat who headed the British Consulate in Russia between 2023 and 2025, launched a scathing attack on the plans.
He told GB News: "Only this comically out of touch government could come up with a list of 'everyday essentials' that includes avocados, quinoa, fresh figs and dried papaya.
"As for fonio (a super-grain native to the West African Sahel in case you were wondering) - Starmer and Rachel Reeves may be the only people in the country buying it.
"This is a North London socialists’ grocery shop. It would be funny if the state of the economy weren't so dire."
The list includes avocado and quinoa
|GETTY
Fresh produce features heavily, including bananas, citrus fruits, garlic, aubergines and sweet peppers, while various cooking oils, including olive oil and vegetable oil, are also included.
The proposals build on tariff suspensions announced by the Government in April.
The Government says the tariff reductions are part of a wider effort to support households and businesses during a period of economic uncertainty. Alongside the consultation, ministers are seeking views on suspending tariffs on certain fertilisers to help farmers cope with rising costs linked to the conflict in the Middle East.
Rachel Reeves defended the measures, saying they were designed to protect consumers from global economic pressures.
The proposals build on tariff suspensions announced by the Government in April
| GETTYShe said: "The war in Iran isn't our war, but one we will need to respond to, and my priority is keeping prices down for households and businesses."
The Chancellor pointed to a broader package of support measures, including a fuel duty freeze and the first increase in mileage rates for 15 years, benefiting carers, plumbers, builders and other workers who use their own vehicles for work.
The announcements form part of the Government's wider "Great British Summer Savings" initiative launched last week
| PAThe announcements form part of the Government's wider "Great British Summer Savings" initiative launched last week.
Full list of products included in the Government's proposed tariff reductions
- Aubergines
- Avocados
- Baked beans
- Bananas (fresh and dried)
- Biscuits
- Boiled sweets
- Bread
- Buckwheat
- Candied fruit
- Chewing gum
- Chocolate (bulk and retail)
- Chocolate bars
- Chocolate drink preparations
- Chocolate spreads
- Chocolate with fruit, nuts or cereal
- Citrus fruits (various)
- Cocoa paste
- Cocoa powder
- Couscous
- Crispbread
- Crisps
- Dried apples
- Dried apricots
- Dried figs
- Dried papaya
- Dried peaches and nectarines
- Dried pears
- Fonio
- Fresh figs
- Frozen fruits
- Garlic
- Gherkins
- Gingerbread
- Green tea
- Jams and marmalades
- Limes
- Liquorice products
- Margarine
- Marzipan and pastes
- Mixed dried fruit
- Mixed fats and oils
- Mixed fruit and nuts
- Mixed nuts
- Mixed preserved fruit and nuts
- Non-alcoholic beverages
- Olive oil (extra virgin)
- Olive oil (other)
- Olive oil (virgin)
- Olives for oil production
- Olives (fresh and chilled)
- Olives (frozen)
- Other fresh fruits
- Other peppers (capsicum and pimenta)
- Pickled peppers
- Pizzas and quiches
- Plant-based drinks
- Plantains (fresh and dried)
- Prepared vegetables
- Preserved beans
- Preserved citrus fruits
- Preserved tropical fruit
- Preserved vegetables
- Processed potatoes
- Quinoa
- Rusks
- Soups and broths
- Sugar confectionery
- Sugar tablets
- Sweet peppers
- Throat pastilles
- Toasted bread products
- Toffees and caramels
- Tomato ketchup
- Tomato sauces
- Vegetable oils
- Waffles and wafers