Supermarkets give pricey vegan sandwiches the chop

SUPERMARKETS have scrapped expensive vegan sandwich ranges from their offerings, a survey has found.

Many supermarkets have reduced or dropped their plant-based sandwiches, while others are charging more for climate-friendly fillings.

Tesco’s vegan sandwich range has shrunk by 28 per cent since 2019, while Morrisons and Asda have entirely removed their plant-based sandwich options.

Vegan sandwiches tend to be more expensive, costing 15 per cent more at Sainsbury’s than meat-based alternatives, a survey of 420 sandwiches from 14 retailers and food outlets found.

This is despite a 620 per cent increase in the use of alternative proteins as sandwich fillers since 2019.

On average, plant-based options are the most expensive, making them less accessible. Eating Better, a sustainable food alliance that carried out the survey, said this was particularly the case during the cost of living crisis.

Simon Billing, executive director of Eating Better, said: “Three years on from our last sandwich survey, and with yet more evidence from climate scientists on the need to reduce our meat consumption, it’s deeply disappointing that the sandwich aisle is still too meaty and that plant-based is too pricey. Companies make commitments to tackle climate change and promote healthy eating, but our survey shows they’re still not doing enough to support affordable, sustainable diets.

“And even though there’s been a big leap in alternative protein fillings, it’s been at the expense of dropping veggie sandwiches. Our poll shows they’re still a popular choice.”

A poll by the organisation found that 95 per cent of people eat sandwiches for lunch and 60 per cent are willing to eat less meat, with cost and health the main drivers.

Anna Taylor, executive director at Food Foundation, said: “The lack of affordability of plant-based options is a serious barrier to people transitioning to healthy and more sustainable diets. If people are going to reduce their meat consumption, alternative options need to be the most convenient and affordable for everyone.”