Food Packaging

[sophie_1003]

Sainsburys are facing legal action over the fact there is too much packaging on some of their products after a customer complained when a joint of beef was shrink wrapped, in a plastic box then with a sleeve of cardboard around it.
I think this is far too much packaging- why not just shrink wrap it and put a sticker on with all the nutritional information, best before date etc?
However; my boyfriends mum says that if it was only shrink wrapped the meat would be more likely to leak and Sainsburys would then receive complaints about this.
What are your thoughts on food (and other products) packaging?

Link to article here (although I actually heard it on ITV news just now)-
http://www.guardian.c...essive-beef-packaging

[rov1200]

I think they are going over the top with the complaints about food packaging. Most of it is to keep the food clean so that other hands are not trawling all over it and spreading their germs.

The bulk of the packaging is down to the cardboard containers and they are recycled.

[youngmafbog]

Food wrapping needs to be at a minimum but also needs to be functional. In this case I understand it has since been reduced by 50% or so.

Legal action is rediculous unless the company has ignored customer complaint.

[237SJ]

I went to Morrisons and every individual avocado, pepper and cucumber was shrink wrapped. I wrote to customer services about it and got a letter back with the usual c**p about how Morrisons are doing their bit for the environment.

[sophie_1003]

Actually, wrapped cucumbers is one thing I agree with; I work at Co-op and they no longer wrap their cucumbers and they go dried out so much quicker than before so we end up throwing them away (food waste is another thing that annoys me!)
Agree that food packaging is needed rov and youngmafbog but surely shrink wrapping is pretty effective?

[bazwillrun]

A lot of food packaging is in fact to keep the food fresh according to an expert on the radio and the packaging which for the most part is inert and will not produce methane as it degrades which wasted and thrown away food will.

the council thats bringing the case should concentrate on sorting out its services rather than gambling with taxpayers money on yet another frivolous case which it may well lose

another example of the kind of idiots who thrive on petty bureaucracy that work and run our councils

[sophie_1003]

Yep steve, I do recycle but can imagine that if producers used less packaging in the first place it would help!

[B00]

Hey snap sophie, i work in co op too- crap innit? ;-)

[sophie_1003]

Yeah- am there tomorrow, only one day a week though so not so bad! We're having a re-fit at the moment, they started on the staff area last week so am hoping thats finished so don't have to use the port-a-loo again!

[mike11111]

Hey! Fancy a life - changing career? Do you like meeting and helping people? Look no further, come and work for us at the COOP. Further details available on application from BOO and sophie-1003. Don't delay, you may live to regret it!

[sophie_1003]

Lol Mike! Actually, won't be there this time next year (hopefully) maybe I should look around for my replacement on here; would be ideal for all the younger ones asking where they can find a weekend job!

[B00]

Ahhh, we had our re-fit last Xmas, so that'll be it for 5 years now rofl.

I'm there tomorrow too, 7am bright and breezy doing the baking....well, i turn up anyway.

Mike, we give excellent customer service!!! We're nice as pie to your face, when you're out of earshot though....

[sophie_1003]

I don't think we've had one in years and years, only been there 2 years myself and they've been threatening to do it since about this time last year and finally getting it done!
I was meant to be trained up on bakery to do 7-2 on a Saturday and would love to but has never been mentioned since my interview!
Boo- we have some lovely customers then some who try it on and some who are just plain weird!

[B00]

Yeah we have our regulars who are sweet too. One brings me eggs every Sunday (he's a farmer) and one last weekend who brought me in a summer pudding (?). But like you we have the nutters and weirdos.

I detest the underagers who get stroppy when you won't sell em cigs or booze.

Bakings great- it keeps you off the tills for a start!

[mike11111]

Hope I haven't offended either of you, but there are times when I just can't resist the temptation. I am also of an age to remember a time when the COOP was a very well-respected institution and dominated the High Street of most towns and villages in my area.

[gingejbee]

Joints of meat are sold shrink-wrapped in most supermarkets including Sainsburys. This particular product was from their "taste the Difference" range and was wrapped differently to differentiate it from their standard range. Anybody who objects to this sort of packaging should go to a butchers shop.

[B00]

Nar mike, have you heck, heh ;-)

Apologies to Sophie for turning her thread into a work related one!

[sophie_1003]

I had one lad who looked very underage and really kicked off when I asked him for ID, got his mum in who told me to serve him (which I wouldn't) offered to pay herself (which I wouldn't agree to) then stormed out to come back 2 minutes later with his ID that they'd left in the car and shouted "Will ya serve 'im now?!" I was stunned into silence for a second before reminding her that was all I asked for in the first place!

Yeah the lad who does baking at the moment has it so good, gets to stay out the back in the warm (because the oven's on) and only ventures out to grateful customers waiting for their bread!

[B00]

Exactly, why do you think i volunteered for it when we got th'ovens installed? ;-)

[sophie_1003]

:0( not fair!! Bet they'll offer to train me up on it just as I'm ready to hand my notice in!