SAINSBURY’S has axed a popular own-brand product online and in its stores.
Shoppers can no longer get their hands on Plant Pioneer Meat Free Steaks after they were discontinued.
Sainsbury’s has discontinued its Plant Pioneers Meat Free Steaks[/caption]
The product page on the retailer’s website has a message reading “Oops! We’re sorry but this page cannot be found.”
Meanwhile, a customer service agent recently confirmed to a shopper on X, formerly Twitter, the item had been discontinued.
The agent said: “Unfortunately this item is no longer ranged in any of our stores. Sorry for any disappointment this may cause.”
In response to the news, the peeved customer said they were “very dissatisfied”.
It is unclear exactly when the product was discontinued or why but The Sun has approached Sainsbury’s for comment.
Sainsbury’s is not the first supermarket to discontinue a vegan product from shelves in recent years.
It comes as Google Trends data shows the number of UK shoppers searching for “Vegan Food” and “Vegan Diet” has gradually declined in the last three years.
In January this year, Nestle confirmed it had discontinued its Vegan KitKat due to dwindling demand from customers.
The bar first launched in 2021, promising shoppers the “perfect balance between crispy wafer and smooth chocolate that people know and love”.
M&S confirmed in September last year it had axed its Plant Kitchen No Beef Steak Pies following a shake up of its vegan range.
The axing came after the posh retailer also dropped its vegan “Chicken” and Pepper Pizza.
Nestle also discontinued its Carnation Vegan Condensed Milk Alternative last year, leaving some shoppers distraught.
Meanwhile, Hellman’s axed its Vegan Mayo Baconnaise, apologising to fans of the condiment.
OTHER DISCONTINUED ITEMS
Baked goods giant Greggs recently caused a stir after dropping ham salad baguettes from menus, as exclusively revealed by The Sun.
The lunch item was axed in favour of other fresh baguettes, despite its popularity among hungry shoppers.
One customer recently posted on X: “Was so upset to be told that your ham salad baguettes have been discontinued while at your Marlborough store today.”
“That’s my midweek treat every week and seems to be very popular.”
A second added: “I would have loved a ham salad baguette but for some bizarre reason you have stopped doing them! Scandalous!”
Why are products axed or recipes changed?
ANALYSIS by chief consumer reporter James Flanders.
Food and drinks makers have been known to tweak their recipes or axe items altogether.
They often say that this is down to the changing tastes of customers.
There are several reasons why this could be done.
For example, government regulation, like the “sugar tax,” forces firms to change their recipes.
Some manufacturers might choose to tweak ingredients to cut costs.
They may opt for a cheaper alternative, especially when costs are rising to keep prices stable.
For example, Tango Cherry disappeared from shelves in 2018.
It has recently returned after six years away but as a sugar-free version.
Fanta removed sweetener from its sugar-free alternative earlier this year.
Suntory tweaked the flavour of its flagship Lucozade Original and Orange energy drinks.
While the amount of sugar in every bottle remains unchanged, the supplier swapped out the sweetener aspartame for sucralose
Meanwhile, Tesco shoppers were left baffled after finding out it had discontinued six-pint bottles of whole milk.
A spokesperson for the UK’s biggest supermarket said the bottles had been phased out in 2023 to reduce wastage.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
