Sainsbury's shoppers fume at 'inappropriate' meat packaging that 'destroys' item

30 March 2023 , 10:50

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Some shoppers have been left rattled (stock photo) (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Sainsbury's shoppers are rattled by the supermarket's new meat packaging, with some going as far to say it's "destroyed" the product.

The new packaging was launched to cut down on plastic waste as companies try to hit Net Zero targets, but customers say it's changed the texture of the supermarket's mincemeat.

Sainsbury's has shifted to using vacuum-packed packaging for some of its beef products, in a bid to cut down on waste.

The move will save 450 tonnes of plastic annually - but shoppers are calling for the old packaging to return.

The switch will see a minimum 55% reduction in plastic per product and it is the first move of its kind by a UK supermarket, The Manchester Evening News reports.

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The new packaging is vacuum tight rather than plastic (Sainsbury's)

However, some have complained about the move made by Sainsbury's with one saying it is "not mince at all now."

Another customer claimed: "Its a sticky lump of goo, all the texture gone in the vacuum. The new packaging is inappropriate for a freeflow minced beef product."

A third added: "The product has now been destroyed and is now a slab of compressed meat."

A spokesperson for Sainsbury's said: "We are always looking for new ways to innovate packaging to meet our ambitious plastic reduction targets. Our new vacuum-packed beef mince packaging uses 55% less plastic and saves over 450 tonnes of plastic a year, without impacting taste or quality."

Claire Hughes, Director of Product and Innovation at Sainsbury's, said earlier this year: "We know our customers expect us to be reducing the use of plastic across our products and we're constantly looking for new ways to innovate to meet our Plan for Better plastic reduction targets.

"We strive to be bold in the changes we are making, which is why we're pleased to be the first UK retailer to vacuum pack all our beef mince range without impacting the quantity or great quality of product that our customers expect.

"This is the latest in a long line of changes we have pioneered in the space working collaboratively with our suppliers, and customers can expect much more to come from Sainsbury’s."

Freddie Bennett