Shoppers pay up to 77 per cent premium for packaged fruit and veg

13 April 2012

Shoppers are paying a packaging premium of up to 77 per cent for fruit and vegetables when they are wrapped in plastic.

A snapshot study reveals shoppers are paying ridiculous sums for pretty packaging that goes straight into the bin.

In fact, shoppers are paying twice for what amounts to a massive amount of excess packaging.

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Shoppers are paying twice for what amounts to a massive amount of excess packaging

There is the price to be paid at the till, while millions of householders are suffering higher council tax bills to cover the cost of disposal.

A Daily Mail campaign has tapped into a national backlash against excess packaging.

All the major stores appear to be guilty with a significant mark-up on produce simply becaues it is placed in a tray and covered in plastic.

The packs may look attractive, however it is increasingly clear that shoppers don't want the hassle and cost of getting rid of the wrapping.

For shoppers are facing a future where rubbish collections are being curtailed, while householders may even be charged according to the number of black bags they put out.

Our survey found that a pack of four wrapped pears was 77 per cent more expensive at Waitrose than pears which were available loose. The price was £1.99 versus £1.12.

There was a similar picture at Sainsbury's. A wrapped pack of three courgettes was priced at £1.99, a mark-up of 84p or 73per cent on the loose price.

At the same store, four pink lady applies were £1.99, which was an extra 42p or 37per cent compared to the same apples sold loose.

At Morrisons, a wrapped head of broccoli was selling for 56p, which is 16p or 40per cent more than the loose equivalent.

A similar pattern was seen with a pack of six bananas. The wrapped version was 99p, which was wome 28p or 39per cent more than those sold loose.

At Tesco, a bunch of parsley in a pack worked out at 99p, which is some 30p or 44per cent more than the herb sold loose. A mark-up was also seen on plums.

The National Federation of Women's Institutes has been campaigning on the issue. Its research suggests that £8 in every £50 spent on the weekly shop covers packaging.

Spokesman Amy Bick said: "All the big supermarkets need to change. In some of their smaller outlets it is only possible to buy packaged fruit."

Asda has announced it plans to cut its own-label packaging by 25per cent this year. It has made a major push to return to the traditions of the greengrocer by selling more of its produce loose.

Earlier this week, the company launched a trial asking customers to identify those products and brands where too much packaging is used.

It is to challenge the producers to make changes. Separately, local councils and trading standards officers are demanding new powers to prosecute the guilty firms with fines of up to £50,000.

The Local Government Association chairman, Sandy Bruce-Lockhart, said: "The law which is supposed to ban excessive packaging is a toothless tiger.

"There's no incentive for manufacturers to cut down on packaging because they know they can get away with it.

"People are deeply concerned about needlessly over packaged products. People power is now needed to put pressure on producers to cut down."

Around five million tonnes - around one fifth of household rubbish - is used packaging and it costs around £800 million a year to get rid of in England alone.

The supermarkets insist the packaging they use is necessary and valued by shoppers. For example, riper fruit is sold in packaging to prevent it being damaged.

The industry is working on reducing packaging, using recycled materials and introducing biodegradable packs which rot away.

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