Curly cucumbers set to make a comeback
There's good news for everyone this week as the EU changes the law on the sale of mis-shapen fruit and vegetables.
The change comes into effect on Wednesday and will open the door to cheaper fruit and vegetables that taste just as good as those that are perfectly formed.
The good news for consumers is that stores claim the shift will allow them to sell value packs of wonky fruit and vegetables for as little as 50p each.
The move will also cut down on food wastage. Currently as much as 20per cent of farm produce is thrown away or fed to farm livestock because it doesn't match the size and shape rules drawn up by the EU.
Restrictions are being swept away on 26 of the original 36 products covered by the EU directive. The rules will remain in place for another ten types of produce; apples, citrus fruit, kiwi fruit, lettuces, peaches and nectarines, pears, strawberries, sweet peppers, table grapes and tomatoes. However, the commission said farmers will be also allowed to sell wonky versions of these providing they are sold with a label stating 'products intended for processing'.
The Food and Farming Minister Jim Fitzpatrick said: "The new marketing regulations will help supermarkets and greengrocers label their fruit and vegetables correctly, and will provide more choice for people who aren't bothered by what shape their five a day comes in."
Not before time! For generations, Britons enjoyed the quirks of fruit and veg. Odd looking carrots and potatoes even earned their own comedy slot on popular TV programmes like That's Life. I'm sure we'll all look forward to seeing them back on the shelves!
Will you be rushing out to buy curly cucumbers and knobbly carrots or do you like your fresh produce to look perfectly formed?
The change comes into effect on Wednesday and will open the door to cheaper fruit and vegetables that taste just as good as those that are perfectly formed.
The good news for consumers is that stores claim the shift will allow them to sell value packs of wonky fruit and vegetables for as little as 50p each.
The move will also cut down on food wastage. Currently as much as 20per cent of farm produce is thrown away or fed to farm livestock because it doesn't match the size and shape rules drawn up by the EU.
Restrictions are being swept away on 26 of the original 36 products covered by the EU directive. The rules will remain in place for another ten types of produce; apples, citrus fruit, kiwi fruit, lettuces, peaches and nectarines, pears, strawberries, sweet peppers, table grapes and tomatoes. However, the commission said farmers will be also allowed to sell wonky versions of these providing they are sold with a label stating 'products intended for processing'.
The Food and Farming Minister Jim Fitzpatrick said: "The new marketing regulations will help supermarkets and greengrocers label their fruit and vegetables correctly, and will provide more choice for people who aren't bothered by what shape their five a day comes in."
Not before time! For generations, Britons enjoyed the quirks of fruit and veg. Odd looking carrots and potatoes even earned their own comedy slot on popular TV programmes like That's Life. I'm sure we'll all look forward to seeing them back on the shelves!
Will you be rushing out to buy curly cucumbers and knobbly carrots or do you like your fresh produce to look perfectly formed?
Is it Strawberries and Cream or Berry Bangers and Mash on the menu for Wimbledon?
It's that time of year again when the summer sunshine entices thousands of tennis fans to enjoy the feast of entertainment served up at Wimbledon. There's no Rafael Nadal this year but you can be sure that the traditional strawberries and cream will be a hit with the spectators.
Waitrose have taken our love for tradition and embraced the flavour of the season to come up with the Berry Banger, a limited edition sausage that allows hungry tennis fans to combine two summer food favourites: strawberries and cream and barbecued meat.
Anna Lloyd, Waitrose sausage buyer, comments: "Brits love tennis and strawberries and cream have become accepted as an integral part of the festivities. Our limited-edition sausages always create a bit of theatre at the counter and never fail to put a smile on customers' faces. We hope they'll be a big hit this summer."
Will you be cheering on Andy Murray on a full stomach of Berry Bangers and mash? Creative ideas are always good for the food industry. We'd love to hear what unusual flavourings you'd like to see in your bangers?
Waitrose have taken our love for tradition and embraced the flavour of the season to come up with the Berry Banger, a limited edition sausage that allows hungry tennis fans to combine two summer food favourites: strawberries and cream and barbecued meat.
Anna Lloyd, Waitrose sausage buyer, comments: "Brits love tennis and strawberries and cream have become accepted as an integral part of the festivities. Our limited-edition sausages always create a bit of theatre at the counter and never fail to put a smile on customers' faces. We hope they'll be a big hit this summer."
Will you be cheering on Andy Murray on a full stomach of Berry Bangers and mash? Creative ideas are always good for the food industry. We'd love to hear what unusual flavourings you'd like to see in your bangers?
