Shoppers criticise Morrisons for selling mis-shapen veg in plastic
Morrisons has been accused of defeating the object of its new 'wonky veg' range by wrapping them in 'unnecessary' plastic packaging.
The supermarket giant had been praised for trying to reduce the amount of food waste by selling out-of-shape vegetables that would usually be binned.
But customers have reacted with anger at the amount of plastic being used to sell and market them.
Consumers have taken to Twitter to point out that Morrisons' hard work had been undone by the damage the new initiative would cause the environment.
Morrisons has been accused of defeating the object of its new 'wonky veg' range by wrapping them in 'unnecessary' plastic packaging
The supermarket giant had been praised for trying to reduce the amount of food waste by selling out-of-shape vegetables that would usually be binned
One of the first critics was This Morning host Philip Schofield who tweeted: 'Love the #WonkyVeg idea @Morrisons...shame they're all wrapped in plastic'
They are urging bosses to do away with the plastic bags and wrapping and instead sell the odd-shaped produce loose in trays.
One of the first critics was This Morning host Philip Schofield who tweeted: 'Love the #WonkyVeg idea @Morrisons...shame they're all wrapped in plastic.'
Another consumer tweeted the supermarket: 'Love the fact that you're promoting the wonky veg but in plastic bags.. really?
'Make a change please, for the love of the sea, animals and future generations!'
Consumer Catherine Hughes said: 'Shame about the extra unnecessary plastic packaging to shift non perfect veg and defeat the object.'
Katie Isle said: '@Morrisons love the wonky veg but why package in plastic?
Consumers have taken to Twitter to point out that Morrisons' hard work had been undone by the damage the new initiative would cause the environment
'Surely when we are trying to reduce plastic it would be better to have loose veg & let people buy the amount they really want?'
Will Carson posted: 'Morrisons have score a mega own goal advertising their 'wonky' veg in totally unnecessary plastic packaging.
Stephen Harper added: 'Do away with the plastic & have them loose, not wonky rocket veg science.'
Morrisons are the latest supermarket to attempt to reduce food waste by selling cheaper vegetables which have defects such as missing stalks and skin scarring or are unusually small or large.
Morrisons said they needed to bag the wonky veg to stop customers paying over the odds for it but they are working with their suppliers to reduce their plastic waste
These deformed vegetables are perfectly fine to eat and taste the same as the more appealing-looking produce.
But previously they would be thrown out by retailers or not purchased in the first place from growers for fear customers would not want to buy them.
Morrisons said they needed to bag the wonky veg to stop customers paying over the odds for it but they are working with their suppliers to reduce their plastic waste.
A Morrisons spokesperson said: 'Our wonky range of fruit and veg helps to reduce food waste and offers customers a more affordable option.
'Because it's generally cheaper than our standard range it needs to to be bagged up and sold separately so customers aren't overcharged.
'We're working on ways to reduce plastic packaging or ensure that it is recyclable.'