Coles under fire for 'confusing' branding of plant-based products
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Finding plant-based and vegan products in supermarkets can be a difficult task for many consumers. Despite the growing demand for these types of products, many supermarkets still have limited options available.
This can make it challenging for those following a plant-based diet to find foods that meet their dietary needs and preferences.
Another issue is that these products are often difficult to locate within the store. They may be tucked away in a small corner or in a single aisle, making them easy to overlook.
Embracing a vegan lifestyle can be a bit of a challenge; that's a fact. But recently, it seems that our plant-based friends have encountered another shopping problem, particularly when it comes to Coles supermarkets...
For vegans, there's nothing worse than chomping down on something you thought was plant-based, only to find out it's actually a meat product. It can be dangerous for their health and morally distressing.
Unfortunately, that's exactly what happened to an unsuspecting vegan shopper at Coles, who picked up what they thought was a meat-free product, only to be disappointed much later.
A vegan shopper with a major beef (no pun intended) with Coles took to social media, accusing the supermarket of making it way too confusing to find their vegan and allergen-free options.
The customer, who shall remain nameless, had a bone to pick with two of the store's popular options: the Coles' I'm Free From brand (for allergen sufferers) and the Nature's Kitchen range (for vegans).
According to the customer, the packaging for these two options is way too similar, and it's causing shoppers to accidentally purchase non-vegan products when they're on the hunt for meat-free options. Talk about a recipe for disaster!
'Bought these from the vegan section in Coles, cooked them and had a bite and thought these are pretty good…' they said, then later added, 'I think people are trying to trick me. I also picked up egg whites and put them back! Lesson learnt.'
The post went viral in the 'Vegans In Australia' Facebook group, with many others chiming in to share their own stories of woe about shopping at Coles.
One user commented, 'Coles, could you please change the branding of your I'm Free From and Nature's Kitchen vegan products? They're far too similar, and it's leading to people with vegan diets eating meat products. This isn't the first case.'
Another echoed the sentiment, adding that the vegan and non-vegan allergy-friendly products are all mixed in together in the same fridge. Talk about a nightmare! It's like trying to find a needle in a haystack; only in this case, the needle is a vegan product, and the haystack is made of meat.
Even more concerning is the risk of an allergy sufferer purchasing from the vegan range, only to suffer from an allergic reaction.
Thankfully, a Coles spokesperson has contacted news sources about the situation, saying that the customer's feedback has been passed on for consideration.
'I'm Free From' products are 'all about giving food allergy sufferers the ability to choose a variety of different foods without compromising on taste,' they said while referring to the allergen-free range.
As for their Nature's Kitchen range, it's aimed at those seeking 'meat-free and plant-based alternatives'.
This incident is a prime example of why it's crucial to take a good look at the packaging before you add something to your cart. Not only can you avoid buying something you don't want, but you can also save yourself the hassle of having to return or refund it.
But don't worry, Coles shoppers, if you find yourself in a tricky situation, the store offers refunds or replacements for fresh food, whether you bought it in-store or online.
And with that, we hope you found this article to be helpful! Happy shopping, members!
This can make it challenging for those following a plant-based diet to find foods that meet their dietary needs and preferences.
Another issue is that these products are often difficult to locate within the store. They may be tucked away in a small corner or in a single aisle, making them easy to overlook.
Embracing a vegan lifestyle can be a bit of a challenge; that's a fact. But recently, it seems that our plant-based friends have encountered another shopping problem, particularly when it comes to Coles supermarkets...
The designs of Coles' vegan and non-vegan products are too similar and are causing confusion among shoppers. Credit: Coles.
For vegans, there's nothing worse than chomping down on something you thought was plant-based, only to find out it's actually a meat product. It can be dangerous for their health and morally distressing.
Unfortunately, that's exactly what happened to an unsuspecting vegan shopper at Coles, who picked up what they thought was a meat-free product, only to be disappointed much later.
A vegan shopper with a major beef (no pun intended) with Coles took to social media, accusing the supermarket of making it way too confusing to find their vegan and allergen-free options.
The customer, who shall remain nameless, had a bone to pick with two of the store's popular options: the Coles' I'm Free From brand (for allergen sufferers) and the Nature's Kitchen range (for vegans).
One shopper accidentally bought real chicken instead of 'mock' chicken intended for vegans. Credit: Facebook.
According to the customer, the packaging for these two options is way too similar, and it's causing shoppers to accidentally purchase non-vegan products when they're on the hunt for meat-free options. Talk about a recipe for disaster!
'Bought these from the vegan section in Coles, cooked them and had a bite and thought these are pretty good…' they said, then later added, 'I think people are trying to trick me. I also picked up egg whites and put them back! Lesson learnt.'
The post went viral in the 'Vegans In Australia' Facebook group, with many others chiming in to share their own stories of woe about shopping at Coles.
One user commented, 'Coles, could you please change the branding of your I'm Free From and Nature's Kitchen vegan products? They're far too similar, and it's leading to people with vegan diets eating meat products. This isn't the first case.'
Another echoed the sentiment, adding that the vegan and non-vegan allergy-friendly products are all mixed in together in the same fridge. Talk about a nightmare! It's like trying to find a needle in a haystack; only in this case, the needle is a vegan product, and the haystack is made of meat.
Even more concerning is the risk of an allergy sufferer purchasing from the vegan range, only to suffer from an allergic reaction.
Coles' meat-free products are under its Nature's Kitchen range. Credit: Coles.
Thankfully, a Coles spokesperson has contacted news sources about the situation, saying that the customer's feedback has been passed on for consideration.
'I'm Free From' products are 'all about giving food allergy sufferers the ability to choose a variety of different foods without compromising on taste,' they said while referring to the allergen-free range.
As for their Nature's Kitchen range, it's aimed at those seeking 'meat-free and plant-based alternatives'.
But don't worry, Coles shoppers, if you find yourself in a tricky situation, the store offers refunds or replacements for fresh food, whether you bought it in-store or online.
And with that, we hope you found this article to be helpful! Happy shopping, members!
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