Superstore accused of misleading customers

The National Sheep Association’s Scottish chairman has visited a Tesco store to question management over the stocking of foreign lamb under a banner promoting Scottish produce.

John Fyall, who farms near Newmachar, told employees at Tesco’s Danestone store that he thought a sign stating ‘The best Scottish lamb in season’ above shelves with New Zealand and British origin lamb was “misleading”.

He said the shelves under the banner were stocking 37 packets of British lamb, 57 packets of New Zealand lamb and 24 packets of Scottish lamb.

No roasting leg joints, which were on promotion at £5 a kilo, were found under the banner, however 62 were witnessed elsewhere in the shop and every joint had been sourced from New Zealand.

Mr Fyall told staff management that he wanted all lamb stocked under the banner to be sourced from Scotland.

“We have worked very hard to create a Scottish brand and the quality assurance in Scotland is next to none,” Mr Fyall told staff.

“It’s damn sore to see that message being used to promote other lamb.”

Speaking outside the shop, Mr Fyall said he would be raising the issue with trading standards as he believed Tesco was in breach of Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 legislation.

Mr Fyall said he believed both the banner promoting Scottish lamb and the stocking of Scotch Lamb cuts at “eye-level” would lead consumers to believe they were picking up Scottish lamb roasting joints from that section of the shop.

The Forfar store was also found to be stocking a mixture of New Zealand, British and Scottish origin lamb beside promotional material stating ‘Working with over 400 Scottish farmers to bring you locally sourced lamb”.

A Tesco spokesman said the retailer clearly labelled all its lamb products with country of origin information.

Picture: Jim Irvine. John Fyall visited Tesco’s Danestone supermarket in Aberdeen to make the NSA’s concerns known.