Sainsbury’s Adopts Further Innovations for Meat Packaging
Source: Sainsbury’s
In an effort to address customer dissatisfaction over altered meat packaging, Sainsbury’s has implemented further enhancements. The initial transformation involved the shift to vacuum-sealed beef packaging, resulting in a significant 55% reduction in plastic usage.
Commencing in February, all 600 Sainsbury's stores transitioned to vacuum-sealed beef packaging, encompassing both online orders for delivery and the click-and-collect service. However, this alteration, aimed at reducing plastic usage, faced criticism from shoppers who found the meat coalescing into a solid mass.
In response to the ensuing backlash, the supermarket introduced informative pamphlets placed adjacent to the meat displays, elaborating on the rationale behind these adjustments. The pamphlets stated, "New minced beef packaging. Same quality product. Our novel packaging might appear notably distinct. Yet, considering the 55% reduction in plastic usage – which conserves over 450 tonnes annually – we believe it's a commendable transformation."
However, despite these efforts, the packaging alteration drew discontent and grievances among patrons. A review posted on Sainsbury's website decried the mince's altered state as "no longer resembling mince," emphasising that it "coalesces into clumps." Another dissatisfied shopper voiced, "The vacuum-sealing process has transformed it into a sticky mass, obliterating all textural nuances."
A third critique chimed in, asserting that the new packaging was "unsuitable for free-flowing minced beef." This individual opined that the product had been fundamentally transformed into a compacted meat block. The vacuum-sealing method drew further criticism as it was accused of "altering the mince meat texture into a pâté-like consistency," leading another customer to label it as "repulsive."
Sainsbury's beef mince, which was once enclosed within a plastic tray topped with a film lid that allowed the meat to shift, now maintains the same meat quantity within its novel packaging. This packaging adjustment applies to a 500g pack of 20% fat beef mince, priced at £2.49.
In a subsequent development on Monday, Sainsbury's declared yet another significant alteration to the packaging of other meat products. This time, the supermarket giant has abandoned single-use plastic trays from its assortment of whole chickens. This innovative packaging solution, utilising 50% less plastic, is projected to save 140 tonnes of plastic annually.
Under this new packaging paradigm, the chickens will be enveloped in a recyclable film instead of single-use plastic trays. This transition pertains to all five products within the range, including Sainsbury’s British Fresh Whole chicken in varying sizes from extra small (0.9-1.35kg) to extra large (2.1kg), with prices ranging from £3.54 to £6.
The change spans Sainsbury's entire network of 600 stores, along with online orders designated for delivery and the click-and-collect service. These steps align with Sainsbury's commitment to sustainability, reflecting previous measures such as the discontinuation of plastic bags for fruits and vegetables in 2019. Additionally, the supermarket has embraced the trend of eliminating plastic lids from bottle cartons, a transition that is expected to encompass their entire milk supply by the end of this year.
