Lidl slammed for selling pre-peeled onions for almost DOUBLE the price of a normal one

LIDL has been slammed by customers for selling PRE-PEELED onions in protective plastic packaging.

Shoppers have criticised the budget supermarket for the "unnecessary" use of wrapping on its "ready to cook naked onions".

The two-pack of peeled veg costs 79p - compared to 89p for four large, unpeeled onions in store.

That means that one peeled onion costs 39.5p whereas a normal one costs 22.3p - it's over 17p more for one wrapped in plastic.

The news comes after we reported how shoppers are paying up to 54 per cent MORE for loose fruit and veg than if they buy them wrapped in plastic packaging.

Last week Marks & Spencer came under fire for selling a "cauliflower steak" wrapped in plastic for £2 and Sainsbury's has been ridiculed for stocking plastic covered coconuts on shelves.

Of course, other supermarkets stock more expensive, ready-diced onions that are also packaged in single-use plastic, but this is the first time we've seen pre-peeled whole onions.

Now, environment-conscious customers have expressed their disgust at the goods from Lidl, which are produced by the firm's brand of fresh fruit and vegetables, Oaklands.

Winnie Courtene-Jones, who posted an image of the onions, said: "Found this #pointlessplastic monstrosity in @LidlUK this morning 😵 seriously?!

"Two peeled whole onions on a plastic tray wrapped in #plastic film 😡 no @lidl! Just no, I don't have words for this."

Angela Fay said in response: "NAKED ONIONS???? Just how lazy and stupid are people these days? Consumerism gone mad."

David Rose described it as "unacceptable", adding: "Just as I was singing the praises of @LidlUK and their wonderful unwrapped veg, I come across this monstrosity - naked onions!!!

"Remove the perfectly good protection & then add plastic protection."

A Lidl spokesperson told the Sun Online: "In line with the industry, the price of pre-prepared products are generally higher than that of items in their original form, due to additional requirements within the production process.

"This product, which is equivalent to pre-prepared options already available at other supermarkets, is being piloted in a select number of stores on a trial basis only. Following the trial, all customer feedback will be considered."

The Environment Agency announced £750k funding to tackle plastic pollution on Friday.

Their aims include the "promotion of better environmental practices in business and a reduction in plastic waste from the start of the manufacturing process."

Only last week the government announced plans to introduce plastic-free aisles in supermarkets within the next 25 years.

Prime Minister Theresa May warned that the 8.3billion tons of plastic produced since the 1950s will more than triple to 34billion tons by 2050 without urgent action.

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