To boycott Sainsbury’s for their mince packaging!!

I hate it.
Boycott the mince I say.
I find the slab of vacuumed meat difficult to get out of the pack. Blood goes everywhere. And when the slab is in the pan it doesn't break down easily. It also has a mushy texture and a bit tasteless when cooked.
I buy my 5% beef mince at Waitrose now (very MNet) as they often give me a £1.70 discount voucher which makes it a similar price as Sainsbo's but much better quality.

Its vile. I buy from the butcher instead.

It’s not good is it, not just the packaging. I always get mince from Ocado now.

I think the asda turkey mince in still packed regularly. I've stopped buying beef mince in Asda now as its honestly awful. Most of the reviews on the website say the same 🤷‍♀️

I used some only the other day - a 500g pack - and I honestly don’t see a problem. I will usually fry it briefly with chopped onion, but partly break it up with 2 forks first, and carry on the breaking up while it’s frying. Takes very little time.

Any lumpy bits later are broken up by squishing them against the side of the pan with a wooden spoon.

I have stopped buying it.
I thought I was being daft and it was just packaging but my DS who eats anything (except vegetables) asked why his Chili was "funny"
I rarely buy meat but if I do its farm shop only now - I buy so little its affordable

@Crikeyalmighty that's good to know if Tesco decide to follow the crowd. I don't normally go to m&s for food but I would make an exception for this

Yanbu

Buy the frozen mince instead

@GandTtwice I’m def still buying it looking normal in M&S

I did already. It reminded me of dog meat.

Co op are the same. Hate it. Cooks all clumpy 😞

Me too, I think it's the only place that hasn't changed packaging

It isn't just their mince. They've changed their wrapping paper and yes, I understand, it's so it isn't wrapped in plastic anymore but the Sainsbury's wrapping paper stickers are IMPOSSIBLE to get off so it just ends up ripping about 10 inches off the roll so I'm paying for wrecked wrapping paper. M&S wrapping paper is much better, the stickers are really easy to get off and it doesn't rip as easily nor does it rip when wrapping presents either. A wee thing, but annoying.

It’s absolutely grim. The last lot I had in my online shop was actually folded in half in the box and was so wet and compressed it was almost a lumpy meat gel. Since then I’ve avoided it and the delivery person told me most people with home deliveries send it back.

Thanks @Aaron95
I must say that the new packaging makes the mince look very unappetising and so.ewhat like the fake vegan meat

I didn’t like it at first either (ours is from Aldi but the same) but now I leave the mince out out of the fridge to come to room temperature before frying which makes it softer, and I got myself one of these tools. Honestly one of the best things I’ve ever bought and so satisfying to use!
https://amzn.eu/d/2gy7N3b

I buy most of my meat from a local farm shop, it’s all vacuum packed. It doesn’t bother me. It is a bit harder to break mince up but the texture is fine when cooked.

I work for Asda and can confirm all mince is vacuum packed.
Can’t see the issue to be honest.

I open it to let it air out and then put it in the hot pan. Doesn’t take that much effort to break it down

Agree 100%, it's grim and I stopped my online deliveries with them because of this one item. I use about 4 packs a week and can't be doing with having to do a 10 min work out to get the clumps out only to have it taste odd anyway.

They have changed the packaging to use less plastic. The new packaging is smaller but the mince is compressed inside. It's the same mince but it takes a bit of effort to break it up compared to how it used to be.

im amazed people can’t tell the difference- I thought it was revolting and I cook a lot

I get a weekly online sainos shop but I buy beef and other meat from the butchers. I like it lean for health reasons so get the butcher to mince about a kilo of chuck or braising steak for me and then batch cook bolognese, chilli, cottage pie or whatever. Really useful quick meal in the week from the freezer and best way to make a lasagna IMO.
It’s a bit more £ but I think it’s actually more economical as there’s little fat or other “liquid” that I used to get from supermarket mince and it’s just packed in a plastic bag.
I like to support local shops where I can and all the butcher’s meat is fairly locally sourced too, some within a few miles, so better carbon footprint. Much better flavour too!

It’s a first world problem but I completely agree, it makes for a clumpy dish and adds lots of time to de-clump! I buy from Asda now because they don’t do this

I work in a (different) supermarket where we also do this. It's to reduce packaging and waste, so it's a bit 'damned if we do, damned if we don't. I still buy it but I have to confess that I don't use mince very often and haven't really noticed much difference.

I really don’t see the fuss about the mince. It doesn’t make a difference to the finished meals at all.