CHECKING OUT
People are only just realising the meaning behind Tesco’s ‘secret code’ on fruit & veg – and it’ll cut your waste down
Plus an insider tip from a Tesco employee
PEOPLE are only just realising the meaning behind Tesco’s ‘secret code’ on fruit and veg - and their minds are blown.
So if you get your groceries from Tesco and want to cut down on food waste, you’ve come to the right place and will need to listen up.
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You may or may not have noticed that in 2023, a number of supermarkets removed the use and sell by dates on fresh produce in a widespread effort to reduce food waste.
Whilst there are now no dates on packaged fruit and veg, Tesco has a ‘secret code’ on such produce, which allows staff to rotate stock.
One Tesco shopper took to social media to share her discovery of the ‘secret code’, which left her ‘mind blown’.
Jess, a savvy mum from the UK, gave her followers a close-up look at a bag of Maris Piper potatoes and a cucumber, which she bought from her local Tesco.
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Pointing to the labels, which read A11 and A12, Jess questioned: “Did anyone else not know this or am I just late to the party?”
She said: “I just thought that veg didn't have sell by dates, I just go off how it feels and what it looks like.
“But this is the sell by date. So the letter is the month and then the number is obviously the date.”
Jess then explained that her potatoes, which had A12 on the label, have a sell by date of January 12th.
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And it turns out that Jess has indeed cracked the code - as the letter on the packaging correlates to the month of the year, whilst the number is the day.
She added: “So this is January. If it was B it would be February, C it would be March.”
SAVE HUNDREDS AT TESCO
Clearly stunned, she acknowledged: “It’s blown my mind.”
The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 149,000 views in just two days.
Insider tip from a Tesco employee
A Tesco employee has revealed a surprising secret about the self-scan trolleys.
According to the worker, random checks on customers using these trolleys are not entirely random.
The checks are actually triggered by a specific customer habit.
If you frequently pick up and put down items without scanning them, you're more likely to be selected for a check.
This is due to the system detecting suspicious behaviour, which could indicate potential theft.
So, to avoid delays, it's best to scan items immediately after placing them in your trolley.
Social media users flocked to the comments, equally as baffled by the ‘secret code’ as Jess.
One person said: “I’m 53 and didn’t know that!!”
Well I’ve learnt something new today thanks
TikTok user
Another added: “I always wondered what the letters meant, you’re not alone love!”
A third commented: “Omg I didn't know this.”
How to boost your Tesco Clubcard points
The Sun's consumer editor Lynsey Barber explains how you can earn extra points on top of your grocery shop.
I'm never without my Clubcard when popping in to Tesco. Not only do I earn points every time I shop, but it also means i get the lowest prices which the supermarket offers to members of its loyalty scheme.
But there are plenty of other ways to maximise my points beyond just shopping in-store or online.
Here are some way to supercharge your Clubcard balance and get the most out of your rewards. Happy saving!
Ovo Energy
- Points offer: 2,500 free Clubcard points
- Requirements: Must be an Ovo customer paying by Direct Debit with a smart meter
- How to claim: Link your Ovo and Tesco Clubcard accounts
- Value: £25 in Tesco vouchers, or up to £50 with Clubcard Reward Partners
Esso Stations with Tesco Express
- Points offer: 1 point for every £3 spent on fuel
- How to claim: Present your Clubcard at the till when paying
Vauxhall Cars
- Points offer: 50,000 Clubcard points with a new car purchase
- Requirements: Buy a new car from an Authorized Vauxhall New Car Retailer and provide your Clubcard number
- Value: £500 in Tesco stores, or up to £1,000 with partners
- Note: Points exceed the standard 30,000 limit per collection period, so they’ll appear in your next Clubcard statement
Halfords Motoring Club Premium
- Points offer: 500 Clubcard points
- Cost: £49/year or £4.99/month for membership
- Additional benefits: Free MOT, 10-point car checks, 5% off motoring products, and a £10 welcome voucher
Inkjet Recycling
- Points offer: Up to 125 points per recycled cartridge
- How to claim: Use recycling envelopes available in-store or within Tesco ink cartridge packs
Evri Parcel Sending
- Points offer: 1 point for every £1 spent
- How to claim: Enter your Clubcard number during the checkout process on Evri
Tesco Products and Services
- Forecourts: 1 point for every 2 litres of fuel
- Marketplace: 1 point for every £1 spent on partner products
- Mobile: 1 point for every £1 spent with Tesco Mobile
- Bank Credit Cards: 1 point for every £4 spent using a Tesco Credit Card
Whilst someone else penned: “Well I’ve learnt something new today thanks.”
However, at the same time, one user claimed: “I didn’t, but I assume it’s deliberate to reduce food wastage.”
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Whilst another admitted: “I work retail so I did. It was a less waste movement.”
Not all supermarkets follow the same code, but one Tesco employee shared: “Coming from someone that works with produce in Tesco head office, it’s a date code so yes technically correct.”
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