Co-op and Nisa to introduce divisive new mince meat vacuum packaging

Co-op is set to roll out vacuum packaging for its mince meat products in a bid to reduce plastic waste.

The change, which will help to save 138 tonnes of plastic waste per year, will be introduced across the convenience retailers stores from this week, The Mirror reported.

Co-op’s 5% fat British lean beef steak mince, Aberdeen angus fresh minced beef, Scottish beef mince 12% fat, and Welsh 5% fat beef mince are among 11 products undergoing the packaging change in both Co-op and Nisa stores.

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The packaging is also able to be recycled at one of the retailer’s in-store recycling points and is expected to be widely recyclable by the end of 2023.

“We are pleased to introduce new recyclable vacuum packaging on our 100% British mince, which ensures great quality British meat, increases shelf life to help minimise food waste, and helps save over 138 tonnes of plastic each year,” a spokesperson told The Mirror.

Earlier this year, Sainsbury’s also rolled out vacuum-sealed meat packaging, however customers were unhappy with the change, claiming it ‘destroys’ the product when opened.

In March, one customer took to Twitter to say that the mincemeat now resembles “mush, dog food, or mince the texture of a single giant burger.”

However, the Big 4 grocer defended the updated packaging which it said saved 450 tonnes of plastic each year and cut plastic per pack by 55%.