STORES SHAMED OVER SUPER-SIZE PACKAGING

SUPERMARKETS are fuelling the plastic waste crisis by using super-sized packaging.

In some cases they are placing labels on packs in such a way as to conceal how little food is inside. An investigation by the Daily Mail discovered that Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Marks & Spencer and Waitrose all deploy the tactic, most often with meat and seafood.

As well as leaving some consumers feeling short-changed, the excess packaging is a threat to the environment. A report earlier this year found the UK

produces more than 170million tons of waste annually.

A spokesman for the British Retail Consortium, which represents major stores, said: ‘Appropriate use of packaging preserves food and reduces waste.

‘ Grocery retailers have already achieved notable reductions in food and packaging waste. An understanding of the role that packaging plays in keeping food fresher for longer in the home can stimulate further reductions.’