On Wed 23 Jan at 2:12pm Stephen Watson wrote:
I've noticed that more and more of the 'fresh' produce in Tesco no longer has a Best Before or Use By date. I tweeted them and got this response:
"Hi Stephen, our priority is to reduce the amount of food that ends up going to waste. We believe empowering our colleagues and customers alike, to make their own decisions on product freshness, will be another step towards meeting our goals on tackling global food waste. TY-Brian"
I'm all in favour of reducing food waste but I don't feel empowered by being tricked into buying tired old produce. And I don't think it's legal. Guidance on gov.uk (see link) and the Food Standards Agency website makes clear that only loose food is exempt, not pre-wrapped produce. So I've passed it on to Trading Standards to see what they make of it. In the meantime if you don't think this is right, please make your own complaints.
Anyone notice if this is happening at other stores? Could it be that it's really about No Deal Brexit Stockpiling?
Check it out here »
On Wed 23 Jan at 4:00pm Bert wrote:
How did we survive without all these dates ? Life was so much simpler then.
On Wed 23 Jan at 5:25pm Green Sleeves wrote:
Bert, consumer rights and food companies informing their customers about what's in their food and an approximation of how fresh it is shouldn't be viewed as a negative. You're not obliged to check in any case if doesn't interest/bother you.
A less informed existence may hold some appeal, but I personally think food companies should be held to higher standards (especially when it comes to what we eat) and consumers should be protected rather than pandering to giant multinationals.
On Wed 23 Jan at 8:02pm Wizardsleaves wrote:
OP, It will help people like you learn to think for yourself rather than throwing out fresh food early as directed to by a multinational scarred of getting sued. It's a good idea. Mind you, I did see them selling peeled potatoes in plastic wrapping so no surprise we are totally doomed.
On Wed 23 Jan at 11:31pm Tom Pain wrote:
Good to be able to agree with GS for once. When the food is loose you can smell it,feel it and look all round it and make your own evaluation. When it's in a package it's very difficult to check anything. How weaselly typical to claim virtue on the grounds of waste avoidance. Well done Tesco you have been awarded the mendacity of the week cup.
On Wed 23 Jan at 11:43pm Dave wrote:
I suspect they’re readying themselves to stock all the low quality produce we’re going to have to consume after Brexit
On Thu 24 Jan at 8:44am bored2 wrote:
I might believe them if they weren't involved in the rejection of a decent chunk of what we produce for being ugly.
Bert, remember the number of greengrocers we had in Lewes about 20 years ago? If the fresh veg from them wasn't actually fresh they lost your custom. Wrapping veg in plastic and not putting a date on so you can't tell if it is fresh is taking the mick. Back in the day would you have taken that behaviour from your greengrocer or told him to do one! I know what I'd have done.
Hopefully this will encourage people to buy the loose veg. As a bonus it's cheaper and uses less plastic.
On Thu 24 Jan at 10:34am Clifford wrote:
Dave, you'll have to tell me why exactly we're going to be consuming 'low quality produce' after Brexit.
On Thu 24 Jan at 12:50pm bored2 wrote:
^^Part of our post Brexit future is a trade deal with USA and this will involve lowering our food standards. Won't be fresh produce like veg though, more likely chlorinated chicken etc
On Thu 24 Jan at 5:57pm Metatron wrote:
Assuming that the UK government won't be paying Farmers NOT to grow food and the ability to buy natural produce from Africa, we should be well and truly catered for, in fact our cornucopia would be overflowing. But feel free to look for the negatives as always.
Q GS.
On Thu 24 Jan at 6:33pm Clifford wrote:
Is that definite bored2? That should encourage vegetarianism and veganism.
On Fri 25 Jan at 11:34am bored2 wrote:
Not definite but a big point of brexit is the signing of new trade deals and especially one with the US. US have been very vocal about gaining access to our food and healthcare markets. Been very much trumpeted by pro leave MPs so take as you will.
Metatron, that's a simplistic and inaccurate summary of CAP subsidies. ALL farmers get the subsidies, not just those who do not produce. Removing the ability of landowners who bought farmland to reap the CAP subsidies is a good thing but doing it for actual farmers at the same time is throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Farmers aren't making much money from actual farming at present...
Check it out here »
On Mon 11 Feb at 2:31pm Sussex Gammon wrote:
I want to know when to throw my food in the bin... THIS IS AN OUTRAGE!