Yogurt with granola is a ‘main’ in Sainsbury’s meal deals – and shoppers are furious
Sainsbury’s shoppers have been left outraged over yogurt with granola being classed as a “main course” in its meal deal offerings.
The supermarket confirmed on Monday that yogurts topped with granola were considered a main rather than a snack in its lunch and breakfast offers, which provide shoppers with a discount when they buy a main, snack and drink.
Sainsbury’s was responding to criticism after some customers complained on social media that some yogurts cost more than others in its meal deals.
One shopper posted a photograph to X, formerly Twitter, of a sign in the sandwich aisle warning customers that yogurts were now classed as mains. The post added: “The UK is finished.”
Another said: “So Sainsbury’s makes you play ‘Spot The Yogurt Snack’ during their popular lunchtime Meal Deal. Which yogurt is a ‘snack’ and which one is a ‘main’?
“Lots of people will be paying extra today at the till if they’re not careful!”
Another said: “Sort it out lads, this is outrageous.”
Shoppers unwittingly charged more
The controversial rule is not new, however, and some have been charged more than they expected for their meal deals when buying topped yogurts.
One said the “ridiculous policy” had “caught me out so many times”, adding: “Please pass on the feedback that a yogurt is not a main. Although the signs are helpful because so many people must get caught out with this. Still though, a yogurt just isn’t a main.”
Traditional supermarket meal deal “mains” include sandwiches, wraps and salads, with a choice of fruit, bars and crisps as snacks.
Sainsbury’s confirmed its larger, topped yogurts were a “popular breakfast main” for customers, while smaller yogurts were classed as a snack.
It said: “Our meal deal includes over 500 options, from sarnies and salads, to croissants, fruit and yogurts. Smoothies and hot drinks, including Costa Coffee, are also included, so many of our customers choose Sainsbury’s for their breakfast as well as lunches on the go.
“Our larger, topped yogurts are a popular breakfast main, while our smaller yogurts are available as a snack,” a spokesman added.
Fruit pots as main course
In 2023 Tesco began including 230g and 300g pots of fruit as a main course in its lunch meal deal after the cost of bread soared.
Supermarkets recently came under scrutiny after a study revealed the high calorific content of meal deals.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham found that many meal deals contained well above the 600 calories recommended for lunch.
One out of five meal deal combinations at the major supermarkets exceeded the limit. The most calorific combination was found to contain 1,329 calories, which was more than in a McDonald’s Big Mac and Fries.
Triple sandwiches such as Tesco’s chicken triple or its sausage, bacon and egg were the most calorific mains, while crisps and chocolate bars were deemed the worst snacks.
Researchers urged the Government to make retailers introduce healthier combinations into meal deals.
