A new packaging change for minced meat at major supermarkets has left many customers upset.
Aldi and Sainsbury’s have recently introduced vacuum-packed packaging for their mince products, a move that has sparked backlash from shoppers.
Customers have taken to social media to voice their displeasure, with some saying they “hate it” and find the new packaging off-putting.
Aldi’s New Vacuum-Packed Mince Causes a Stir
Jamie Devine, a personal trainer from Scotland, shared his frustration after visiting an Aldi store.
He was shocked to find that the store had switched to vacuum-packed packaging for their minced beef.
“What are Aldi doing? Vacuum-packing the mince, what’s that all about? Get this fixed ASAP,” Jamie said.
Aldi had announced in 2023 that it would trial this new type of packaging, aiming to reduce plastic waste by as much as 73%.
While the supermarket claims this change will extend the shelf life of minced beef without compromising its quality or taste, many shoppers have disagreed.
Customer Complaints About the New Packaging
Many customers have expressed their dissatisfaction with the vacuum packaging, saying it affects both the texture and smell of the mince.
One shopper wrote, “It might be for costs and saving the environment, but the texture is off, it doesn’t break up well, and the smell is terrible.”
Another commenter added, “It’s stinking, the texture has changed completely, and I can’t use it now.” Several others said they couldn’t even find the mince at first, as the new packaging made it hard to identify.
One customer expressed disappointment with Aldi, writing, “I was so disappointed in Aldi when I first saw them.”
Jamie Tries the Mince at Tesco
Determined to see if the change was happening across all supermarkets, Jamie went to a Tesco store to check if they had adopted the same vacuum-packed packaging.
Fortunately for him, Tesco still used the traditional hard plastic packaging.
While Jamie admitted that the new vacuum pack was easier to open, he found it harder to break up the meat while cooking, which made the process less enjoyable.
Although he didn’t notice any significant change in taste or smell, he felt that it didn’t cook the same way as before, and others shared similar sentiments.
Sainsbury’s Leads the Way with Vacuum-Packed Mince
Sainsbury’s was the first supermarket to introduce vacuum-packed minced beef back in February 2023.
They claimed the new packaging helped them save 450 tonnes of plastic annually.
However, many customers have complained about the texture and cooking experience.
One shopper even said, “Since Sainsbury’s did this, I’ve pretty much stopped eating mince.
It doesn’t cook in the same way.”
Another person joked that Sainsbury’s was trying to turn people vegan with their new packaging, calling the vacuum-packed minced lamb “disgusting.”
Other Supermarkets Face Backlash Over the Change
Lidl also faced similar backlash when it introduced vacuum-packed mince in 2023.
Customers took to social media to express their displeasure, calling it “mushy” and difficult to break apart.
Some vowed never to buy it again, hoping other supermarkets wouldn’t follow suit.
Despite these complaints, Aldi and Sainsbury’s have not yet commented on the issue.
It remains to be seen whether other retailers will adopt similar packaging or if these changes will be reversed based on customer feedback.