An investigation reveals inconsistencies in Tesco’s Aldi Price Match scheme, highlighting differences in product ingredients.
- Out of 122 products examined, 38 had significantly less of their main ingredients compared to Aldi’s equivalent.
- Examples include chicken nuggets and chilli con carne, where Tesco products contained less chicken and beef respectively than Aldi versions.
- Conversely, some Tesco products, such as fish fingers and coleslaw, contained more of the main ingredients than Aldi’s.
- Tesco defends its practices, claiming product quality is not solely determined by ingredient proportion.
A recent investigation by BBC Panorama has brought to light key differences in the ingredients of products included in Tesco’s Aldi Price Match scheme. The study analysed 122 products from Tesco and discovered that 38 of them contained at least five percentage points less of their main ingredient when compared to their Aldi counterparts. This discrepancy has raised questions regarding the equivalency of these compared products.
For example, the analysis found that Tesco chicken nuggets were composed of only 39% chicken, whereas Aldi’s similar offering was comprised of 60% chicken. Similarly, Tesco’s chilli con carne had 15% beef, significantly lower than Aldi’s product which contained 27% beef. These findings suggest that, while prices are matched, ingredient proportions may not be.Such differences could potentially mislead consumers who might expect similar products in terms of both price and content.
However, the investigation also identified instances where Tesco products contained a higher proportion of ingredients than Aldi’s. Examples included Tesco’s Hearty Food Co fish fingers, which comprised 64% Alaska pollock, compared to Aldi’s 58%. Another instance was Tesco’s Eastmans coleslaw, containing 57% cabbage, while Aldi’s version had 47%. This illustrates that the disparity in ingredient proportions is not uniformly against Tesco.
In response to these findings, Tesco stated that it regularly reviews its product quality and asserts that a higher proportion of a single ingredient does not necessarily define superior product quality. Tesco emphasised that ingredient details are provided to ensure consumers are well-informed about their purchases. Tesco is part of a broader market trend where traditional UK supermarkets like Sainsbury’s, Asda, and Morrisons employ price-matching strategies against discounters.
Earlier in the year, Asda initiated a price matching of both Aldi and Lidl and later, Morrisons joined the trend, attempting to provide consumers with competitively priced essentials. These moves reflect the ongoing competitive landscape in UK’s retail sector where supermarkets strive to offer attractive pricing options amidst challenging economic conditions.
The investigation underscores the importance of ingredient analysis for consumers in price match schemes, ensuring informed purchasing decisions.
