Heinz halts sales to Tesco in prices row

TESCO’S shelves are running bare of Heinz Beanz and Ketchup products due to a dispute over pricing.

It is understood Heinz has paused supply of items across its range to the UK’s biggest supermarket chain, leaving gaps on shelves.

Products such as Beanz 4x415g, right, Sticky Barbecue Sauce 500g, Salad Cream 605g, Baked Beans & Pork Sausages 200g, Beanz No Added Sugar 4x415g Snap Pots 4x200g, Beanz No Added Sugar 200g and Chicken Noodle Soup 400g are unavailable on Tesco’s website.

A Tesco spokeswoman said: “We will not pass on unjustifiable price increases to our customers.

“We’re sorry that this means some products aren’t available right now, but we have plenty of alternatives to choose from and we hope to have this issue resolved soon.”

A Kraft Heinz spokesman said: “We are working closely with Tesco to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.

“In today’s challenging economic environment – with commodity and production costs rising – many consumers are working within tight budgets.

“We always look at how we can provide value through price, size and packs…We are confident of a positive resolution with Tesco.”

Research by trade publication The Grocer found that prices have surged across the entire Heinz range in recent weeks.

The cost of a 4x400g pack of Heinz Cream of Tomato Soup jumped from £2.50 to £3.50 in Sainsbury’s, while a 4x200g pack of Beanz Snap Pots leapt from £2.50 to £2.99 in Morrisons.

A single 415g can of Beanz in Asda went up from 90p to £1.20, according retail researchers Assosia.

Rising food prices have helped push inflation to a 40-year high and shoppers are cutting back on their grocery supplies, the Office for National Statistics reports.