News and Press
Legal action dropped against Sainsbury's for excessive packaging

On the day before the first hearing was due to take place, Lincolnshire County Council withdrew its much publicised legal action against Sainsbury in respect of excess packaging.

The Council commenced investigations following customer complaints concerning the packaging of the Taste the Difference beef roasting joint. It was alleged that the packaging was in breach of the Packaging (Essential Requirements) Regulations 2003, which prohibit manufacturers and retailers from using excessive packaging.

The case was set to have been the first prosecution against a supermarket under the 2003 Regulations and made all the headlines in the national press. Following significant reductions in the amount of packaging, however, the Council decided it was not in the public interest to prosecute and withdrew proceedings.

TLT's head of regulatory, Kerry Gwyther, comments: "The case highlights the growing concern amongst consumers over damage to the environment caused by excessive packaging. The Regulations require packaging to be manufactured so that its volume and weight is the minimum necessary to maintain safety, hygiene and acceptance by the consumer. This can often be a difficult exercise for manufactures and, as this case demonstrates, businesses may be exposed to extensive adverse publicity if the wrong decision is taken. It is therefore crucial that businesses understand their duties under the Regulations".