Tesco has launched an innovative trial of avocado ripeness scanners across five of its UK stores, aiming to help customers select perfectly ripe fruit and reduce food waste. The stores involved in the trial include Cheshunt Extra in Hertfordshire, Colchester Superstore in Essex, Stratford-upon-Avon Superstore in Warwickshire, Wokingham Superstore in Berkshire, and Salisbury Extra in Wiltshire.
Developed by Dutch food-tech company OneThird, the scanner uses infrared technology to non-destructively assess the internal condition of avocados. Customers simply hold an avocado in front of the device, which provides an instant reading indicating whether the fruit is ready to be smashed onto toast or better suited for slicing in salads. This technology helps shoppers plan their usage and shelf life more accurately, reducing the likelihood of purchasing avocados that spoil before use.
Lisa Lawrence, Tesco‘s avocado buyer, commented: “The scanner will enable shoppers to choose the avocado that is right for them and which can help them plan their usage and desired shelf life, thereby cutting down on waste. It encourages shoppers to check ripeness without squeezing, helping protect avocados on shelf from damage, reducing waste, and keeping produce fresher in-store.”
Tesco has seen avocado sales climb, with nearly 15 million more avocados sold over the past year compared to the previous 52 weeks, driven by the popularity of dishes like smashed avocado on sourdough. The initiative is part of Tesco’s broader sustainability efforts, which also include reducing plastic packaging on avocados by introducing lasered barcodes and cardboard packaging.
Tom Kearns, Head of Retail at Westfalia Fruit; a global avocado supplier partnering with Tesco on the project said: “Launching the OneThird Avocado Scanner with Tesco is an exciting innovation that aligns with long-term sustainability goals and enhances the shoppers’ experience.”
The trial represents a promising step towards reducing the significant avocado waste in households, making avocado shopping easier and helping customers enjoy their fruit at optimal ripeness.