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Table 5 Healthy Diets ASAP food price data collection protocol

From: Healthy diets ASAP – Australian Standardised Affordability and Pricing methods protocol

1. Record the usual price of an item, i.e. do not collect the sale/special price unless it is the only price available (if so, note in comment column)

2. Look for the specified brand and specified size for each food item, and record the price

 • If the specified brand is not available: Choose the cheapest brand (non-generic) available in the specified size. Note this brand in the “Your brand” column

 • If the specified size is not available: Choose the nearest larger size in the specified brand. If a larger size is not available, choose the nearest smaller size. Note this size in the “Your size” column

 • If both the specified brand and specified size are not available: Choose the cheapest in the nearest larger size of another brand (non-generic). If a larger size is not available, choose the nearest smaller size

 • If multiple brands are specified, record the price of the cheapest one and note brand in the “Your brand” column

 • If the item is only available in a generic form (e.g. Home Brand, Coles, Woolworths Select, Black and Gold) choose the most expensive generic item in the specified size. If the specified size is not available, choose the nearest larger size. If a larger size is not available, choose the nearest smaller size. Note the generic name in the “Your brand” and the size in the “Your size” columns

3. Loose produce: choose the usual cheapest price per kg of the variety not on special. If the only variety available is on special, record the special price and note in comments column

4. Peanuts: choose the branded packet size closest to 250 g. If packaged, roasted, unsalted peanuts are not available, record the price of the loose ‘bulk scoop & weigh’ roasted, unsalted peanuts per 100 g

5. Check all data are collected and recorded as above, before leaving store