Tesco unveils Waste Not cold-pressed juices in UK

UK-based retailer Tesco has launched Waste Not cold-pressed juices that have been produced using wonky fruits and vegetables.

The new Waste Not juice line-up has been created with surplus apples, beetroot, strawberries and watermelons, which would usually have gone to waste.

Waste Not official Mike Bullock said: “Around 50% of celery is discarded in the UK before it even gets past the farm gate, beetroot deemed too large or small is rejected.

“It’s the same with oranges that are ‘ugly’ on the outside but still beautiful and juicy on the inside. What a waste! We couldn’t sit by and watch all this healthy produce be put in the bin.

“The solution was literally staring us in the face and Waste Not is our way of using what’s beautiful on the inside (where it matters) and sharing what tastes good, feels good and is doing good. It’s our way of helping the planet.”

Created by Tesco’s major produce suppliers G’s and AMC, the new juice line-up will be available at 350 Tesco stores across the UK and will be sold for £1.50 per 250ml bottle.

All bottles of Waste Not juice will made from 30% recycled plastic.

Tesco anticipates that within the first 12 weeks, it will be able to save around 3.5 tonnes of surplus or waste fruit and vegetables.

The new juice products will be available in various flavour combinations, including  orange, carrot and apple, orange, beetroot and apple, apple, watermelon, strawberry, cucumber and mint, as well as orange, apple, celery and spinach.

Tesco prepared fruit buyer Jo Batty said: “These delicious juices are the latest way that we are helping tackle food waste by ensuring as much of the crop as possible gets used.

“The fruit and vegetables being used in the range falls outside the specifications for fresh produce and although they might not be flawless to look at they still offer shoppers a great taste.”