Sainsbury’s has achieved an industry milestone by launching mushrooms grown without peat.
- The new mushrooms are firmer, whiter, and contribute to reduced carbon emissions.
- Sainsbury’s collaboration with Monaghan led to this sustainable innovation.
- The initiative aims to cut peat usage by 20,465 tonnes annually.
- These mushrooms offer an extended shelf life and will be available in selected stores.
Sainsbury’s has made history by becoming the first supermarket in the UK to offer mushrooms cultivated without the use of peat. This initiative aligns with growing environmental concerns surrounding peat extraction, which is known to release significant carbon emissions. The supermarket has launched these mushrooms with a clear ‘Grown without Peat’ label on its packaging, ensuring customers are informed of their sustainable choice.
Driven by the need to reduce carbon emissions, Sainsbury’s new peat-free mushrooms are superior in quality, being firmer and whiter than traditional counterparts. Developed in collaboration with Monaghan, a renowned mushroom producer, these mushrooms use a casing layer comprised of UK-sourced “natural recycled materials” and by-products from agricultural industries. This innovative approach is set to replace a substantial portion of the peat currently in use, potentially reducing peat usage by 20,465 tonnes every year.
The peat-free mushrooms are expected to roll out to over 200 Sainsbury’s stores, accounting for a fifth of the retailer’s mushroom selection. They will be available in two variants: White Closed Cup 300g and White Baby Button 200g. In addition to being more sustainable, these mushrooms are also drier and provide a longer shelf life of 11 days, compared to the 10 days typical of peat-grown options.
Sainsbury’s director of fresh food, Richard Crampton, expressed the company’s commitment to a sustainable food system, stating that the new mushrooms support their goal of achieving ‘Net Zero’ carbon emissions. Crampton highlighted the partnership with Monaghan, noting that the alternative peat-free method took a decade to develop, underscoring the effort and dedication required to bring this product to market.
This move by Sainsbury’s takes place amidst increasing calls to end the use of peat in agriculture, with influential organisations like the National Trust limiting the consumption of peat-grown mushrooms. While other supermarkets, such as Waitrose, have experimented with alternatives like coconut husk fibre, Sainsbury’s has taken a decisive step forward by launching a commercial product. The current Labour government’s manifesto further supports this transition, committing to eliminating peat use in horticulture by 2028.
Sainsbury’s introduction of peat-free mushrooms marks a significant advance in sustainable agriculture, paving the way for further innovations.
