Marks & Spencer will stop selling its controversial ‘cauliflower steak’ after attracting ridicule from consumers who called it ‘wasteful’ and ‘ridiculous’.
The upmarket food retailer launched the slice of cauliflower, wrapped in plastic and costing £2.50, as part of its new Veggie range.
But consumers were quick to mock the product’s high cost while many raised concerns about the environmental impact due to its ‘excessive’ plastic packaging.
Shopper Rachel Clarke complained that Marks and Spencer were being wasteful with excess packaging as well as overcharging for the controversial ‘cauliflower steak’
A spokesman for Marks & Spencer (file image) said that ‘on this occasion we didn’t get it right’
A M&S spokesman said: ‘Once we’ve sold the stock that is currently in stores, we won’t be ordering any more of this product.
‘We work hard to create quick and convenient meals for customers; however on this occasion we didn’t get it right.
‘We have launched many other vegetarian dishes that are already proving popular with customers.’
Conservative MP Zac Goldsmith has suggested that the Government should take action on supermarkets prioritising profits over cutting down on waste.
He told The Telegraph: ‘There can’t be many clearer examples of the stupidity of our throwaway culture than these absurdly overpriced and overpackaged vegetables.’
He added: ‘We’ve seen a few good steps, like the plastic bag charge, which has cut the amount we use. But we need do much more.
The price was slammed on Twitter, while much criticism was also reserved for the packaging
‘The retailers are a huge part of the problem, but they could so easily become part of the solution. They need to take responsibility, and if they don’t, they need to be made to by Government.’
M&S has been mocked for the sliced cauliflower which is double the usual price of the vegetable. The product comes with a sachet of lemon and herb drizzle.
Shopper Rachel Clarke wrote on Twitter: ‘Marks and Spencer stores are selling sliced cauliflower as ‘Cauliflower Steak’ with lots of lovely plastic and charging £2 (normally £2.50). A cauliflower costs about 69p from a local veg shop.’
She added: ‘Take cauliflower. Take knife. Chop cauliflower. Wrap in lots of plastic and mark up the price. The end.’
Another Twitter user replied: ‘Is not a ‘Cauliflower Steak’, it’s a Fool Detector!’
Others were concerned about the price by weight, calculating that the item amounted to almost £10 a kilogram for cauliflower, with one consumer posting: ‘You almost have to pat them on the back for getting away with that.’
M&S has been mocked for the sliced cauliflower which is double the vegetable’s usual price
Another said: ‘I imagine most vegetarians are able to slice their own cauliflower.’
Much criticism was reserved for the packaging, which consumers described as ‘wasteful’ and ‘ridiculous’, and said M&S should be ‘ashamed’.
One said: ‘People who buy this must have more money than sense! What a wasteful item. The amount of plastic and processing involved in this is ridiculous.
‘Like you say, buy a cauliflower, wash it and cut (and use all of it). Well done for flagging it. Marks & Spencer should be ashamed.’
Speaking to LADbible, Ms Clarke said: ‘I think it’s just frustrating for a number of reasons. It might put people off trying a vegan or vegetarian diet if that’s on offer.
Another social media user spotted Sainsburys selling ‘mushroom mince’, which is just chopped up mushrooms
‘Also, I understand how important and great food innovation is, but surely directing customers to fresh vegetables would be more effective?’
M&S said the ready-to-cook cauliflower was for customers looking for a quick and convenient vegetarian meal option. It said the plastic tray protected the product and was widely recyclable.
M&S are not the only supermarket coming under fire for over-priced chopped up vegetables in their vegetarian range.
Lauren Fairley pointed out on Twitter that Sainsbury’s sell a ‘mushroom mince’ which is just ‘chopped mushroom.’