UK-based retailer Sainsbury’s has introduced new opaque packaging to prolong the shelf-life of its potatoes.

Planned to be launched across Sainsbury’s stores, the packaging is designed to protect potatoes from excessive light exposure, which causes them to turn green.

Last year, more than 5.4 million tonnes of potatoes were produced in the UK.

Potato wasteage cost UK households £230m in 2015, with 5.8 million spuds thrown away by British homes each day.

Sainsbury’s packaging head Jane Skelton said: “Whether one half of your bangers and mash, or the essential accompaniment to a Sunday roast, potatoes are a British favourite.

“But exposure to sunlight means many of our spuds never make it to the table. That’s why we’re calling ‘lights out’ in our latest effort to help tackle food waste.

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"We’re confident that this will improve the shelf-life of our potatoes."

“We’re confident that this will improve the shelf-life of our potatoes and, while the packaging might be opaque, we’re hoping the results will be clear to see.”

In 2015, the company launched a £10m initiative, Waste less, Save more, to help UK households save money by reducing the amount of food they throw away.

The company has also introduced a 'snap pack' solution for its own-brand sausages.

The new packaging includes eight sausages, half of which can be opened and cooked, while the others can be stored or frozen for later use.  


Image: Sainsbury’s introduces new packaging that prevents potatoes from going green and developing bitter taste. Photo: courtesy of J Sainsbury.