The proposed new law could signal the end of pre-packed fruit and vegetables at stores like this one - Sainsbury's in Colwick, Nottingham(Image: Joseph Raynor/ Nottingham Post)

Major new supermarket law set to affect anyone who shops in Tesco, Asda, Lidl, Aldi, Sainsbury's and Morrisons 

The new plans would affect leading retailers, if the Government gives them the go-ahead

by · NottinghamshireLive

A proposed new law could signal the end of pre-packed fruit and vegetables at a number of big-name supermarkets across the UK. Plans for the Government go-ahead would affect leading retailers including Tesco, Asda, Lidl, Aldi, Sainsbury's and Morrisons by banning plastic packaging.

Shoppers would instead pick up loose fruit and veg during their shopping, saving an enormous amount of environmentally damaging waste. It could also make it easier for customers to only buy what they need.

Catherine David, director of British anti-waste charity Wrap, which is behind the crackdown, said: "We waste 12% of the food that we buy, with an average household of four throwing away £1,000 of good food each year.

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“This is happening because our food system is making it hard for people to buy only what they need and to use more of what they buy.” Wrap, which is out to help reduce waste and develop sustainable products, says that voluntary efforts by giant supermarkets to reduce packaging have been too slow to hit its target, reports Birmingham Live.

It aims to see 30% of fruit and vegetables being sold without packaging by next year. In response to its drive, MP Sir Robert Goodwill said: “I welcome any attempts to reduce plastic packaging of supermarket food and ­allow more people to buy fruit and veg loose.”

A British Retail Consortium spokesman added: “With grocers already facing very significant cost increases across the supply chain, it’s important any further regulatory burdens are proportionate.”

Food waste amounted to 12 stone per person in 2021, according to research. Wrap says that some delicate foods - such as soft fruit - still could be sold in plastic.

Worrying statistics show that thousands of tons of plastic packaging are estimated to end up in landfills or are being burned every year.