Three-day-old doughnuts will save us a hole lot of money.. £500,000
Workers told to extend snack’s shelf life
It’s enough to leave doughnut connoisseur Homer Simpson punching another hole in his belt…
A supermarket chain have ordered their bakery workers to extend the shelf life of their pastries in a bid to save cash.
Sainsbury’s want their branches to change the sell- by date on the sugary treats from one day to three.
Executives believe the scheme, called Doughnut Life Extension, will save the firm almost £500,000 a year by cutting down waste.
The plan has already been implemented in al l their large supermarkets, saving about £ 300,000 per annum.
Now it is being rolled out across their 728 smaller stores.
The only type of doughnut which will keep its one-day sell-by date is the glazed ring variety because it deteriorates quicker.
Staff in Scotland were told of the decision following an email to store managers from Sainsbury’s London- based bakery supremo Matt Warner.
Warner said: “We have recently been able to increase the life of a number of doughnuts in supermarkets, resulting in a significant waste saving of £300,000 per annum.
“Through analysis, we believe this to be in the region of approximately £170,000 per annum across the convenience estate should these changes be implemented.
“I am sure you will agree this is a significant amount of money which transmits straight into the bottom line.
“However, from analysis, we believe that only 211 stores have implemented, with 517 not believed to have completed this exercise.”
Warner claims there have been no complaints from customers about the three - day - old doughnuts now on sale.
Staff have been warned of possible consequences for them if the sell-by date increase is not carried out promptly.
Warner added: “We will complete further analysis to ensure compliance and a consistent customer offer is delivered across all stores and will escalate back to yourselves should this not be completed.”
Sainsbury’s doughnuts are sold in packets of two, four or 12.
The move would surely get a thumbsdown from Simpsons character Homer, who is probably the world’ s most famous doughnut lover. And Scottish bakery expert James Morton, a 2012 runner-up in the Great British Bake Off, also believes doughnuts should be sold the day they’re made. He added: “You definitely notice a difference in doughnuts even on the evening of the day they are sold, then they are stale. No one wants a stale doughnut. “From a public health point of view, it would be safe to eat them after three days. Anything to reduce
food waste is to be supported. However, from the quality point of view, I’m of the firm opinion that doughnuts must be sold and eaten on the same day.
“Even the highest- quality doughnuts go stale quickly.”
Sainsbury’s is the second-largest chain of supermarkets in the UK.
One worker said: “Staff feel as though they are being asked to sell stale doughnuts just to save money.”
A Sainsbury’s spokeswoman said: “We regularly review our ranges to ensure we’re offering our customers the best possible choice, quality and value while minimising food waste.”