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Sainsbury's excessive packaging case dropped Trading standards officers in Lincolnshire dropped a landmark legal case against Sainsbury's over unneccessary packagingTrading standards officers in Lincolnshire today dramatically dropped a landmark legal case against supermarket giant Sainsbury's over excessive and unneccessary packaging, claiming it was "no longer in the public interest".In what was believed to be the first prosecution against a major retailer for failing to stay within acceptable levels of packaging, Lincolnshire council's trading standards claimed "excessive" wrapping around a fresh joint of beef was damaging to the environment.The case was due to be heard at Lincoln Magistrates' Court tomorrow but in a statement this afternoon Lincolnshire County Council said it had decided to drop the action at the eleventh hour as it had received "evidence of a considerable reduction in packaging and the replacement of all previous stock".But 'green' campaigners – who had been hoping that the prosecution would be closely scrutinised and expose other examples of excessive packaging across the industry – will be disappointed at the outcome.The case involved Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Slow Matured Ultimate Beef Roasting Joint, retailing for £11.99/kg, was vacuum-packed in plastic then further packaged inside a 20cm by 15cm Apet plastic tray. Covered with a plastic lid, it was 10cm tall and was wrapped around with a printed cardboard sleeve. The case was taken up by trading standards officers after a shopper bought the joint from a Sainsbury's store in Tritton Road, Lincoln and lodged a formal complaint. The charge put to Sainsbury's states the meat's packaging was "not limited to the minimum adequate amount to maintain the necessary level of safety, hygiene and acceptance"The statement said: "Sainsbury's have recently reduced the packaging on their Taste the Difference slow matured beef joint and Lincolnshire County Council now feel that legal action against the company for the previous packaging is no longer in the public interest. The court has been informed accordingly.Head of Lincolnshire Trading Standards, Peter Heafield, commented: "This authority first drew its concerns about this issue to Sainsbury's attention in early 2009 and the matters before the court related to the packaging being used on this product in April 2009 and February 2010. With the changes which have now been made and the intention of Sainsbury's to make further reductions if possible this authority has decided that it is no longer in the public interest to prosecute."Cllr Peter Robinson, deputy leader of Lincolnshire County Council, said "The packaging has now been reduced and a way forward to try to achieve even further reductions has been agreed. I am pleased with this very positive outcome. The need for court action has been avoided and the reduction in packaging which is being achieved on this and other products will result in less environmental damage, while at the same lowering the cost to the council taxpayer of processing household waste."Sainsbury's said it would issue a statement later today. At the time it said it was surprised by the comments, "which do not reflect the very positive outcome of our meeting with Lincolnshire's packaging team."J SainsburySupermarketsWasteRetail industryRebecca Smithersguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
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