A new initiative by Tesco will see the shelf life of salads and citrus fruit extended by up to two days.
Some of the most popular fruit and vegetables will stay fresher for longer as a result of Tesco cutting out a food packing stage in the journey from farm to fork.
Among the foods that are gaining extra freshness from the initiative include some of the most popular items in the produce aisle, including:
- Citrus fruit
- Lettuce
- Tomatoes
- Cucumbers
- Peppers
- Broccoli
- Celery
According to the UK’s Waste and Resources Reduction Action Programme (WRAP), seven million tonnes of food are thrown away each year by British households, costing the average family £700.
Tesco Group Food Commercial Director Matt Simister said: “For millions of our customers, this move will mean having up to an extra two days in which to enjoy some of the most popular fruit and vegetables.
“The extra days of freshness will particularly benefit customers who are pressed for time and will mean they are less likely to throw away food."
Tesco found that as a result of advancements in packing and storage, it was now possible to ship produce directly from European suppliers to Tesco stores, cutting the amount of time spent in transit which means getting produce to customers faster, and therefore fresher.
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