UK Tesco Trials New Innovative Mushroom Packaging to Fight Food Waste

18 Apr 2017 --- UK supermarket chain Tesco has launched a new style of pulp packaging for mushrooms in a bid to keep them fresher for longer and to reduce the food waste associated with the produce that can often deteriorate quickly because of condensation getting into plastic packaging. 

According to a Tesco blog written by buying manager James Cantoni, this is the latest move from the Uk retailer which has pledged to cut down on food waste by the end of 2017. 

By swapping plastic punnets for pulp-based fully recyclable packaging shoppers can enjoy fresher-for-longer mushrooms.

“We are always looking for new ways to reduce food waste and bring fresh British produce to our customers. So, this week we’re launching a trial of our new fully recyclable pulp punnet,” says Cantoni.

“Our customers were influential in helping us make this change. They told us that our current plastic punnets sometimes put them off buying mushrooms. Customers said that condensation sometimes forms in the plastic punnets which in turn can lead to the mushroom quality deteriorating more quickly. So, we’ve been looking at ways to improve quality and keep our produce fresher for longer.”

“The new pulp punnet will hopefully extend the shelf life. This will help stores reduce waste and ultimately means that customers will be able to keep their mushrooms for longer helping to reduce food waste in the home.”

The new packaging, available in stores around the UK from today, are made from fully recyclable material that allows for moisture to be absorbed, whilst still maintaining the integrity of the produce inside. 

In a standard plastic punnet, moisture cannot be absorbed and sits in the bottom of the container which then leads to increased deterioration of the mushrooms which become discolored and soft. 

However, the new punnets will prevent that.