SAINSBURY’S has been accused of ripping off hungry shoppers after yoghurt pots were made a meal deal main course instead of a snack.
Tubs of the fruity dairy curd are promoted as the equivalent of a sandwich or chunky wrap despite being significantly smaller.
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It means customers can no longer scoff both a sarnie and a large yoghurt as part of the store’s £3.50 meal deal and must choose between the two.
Some Sainsbury’s stores have put up signs to stop shoppers from blowing up their discounts because they don’t realise yoghurt tubs are not a side.
Larger pots of the retailer’s own-brand fruit-flavoured Greek-style yoghurts, which come with a side of granola, are classed as mains.
But smaller “protein” yoghurts made by brands like Arla are considered a snack.
Read more on meal deals
Sainsbury’s told The Sun the change has been made across supermarkets, convenience stores and petrol filling stations.
A debate was sparked by a user on X, formerly known as Twitter, who posted a snap of a sign inside a Manchester Sainsbury’s informing customers that “Yoghurts now class as a main”.
One patron fumed: “I picked up a yoghurt thinking it was a side, because who eats a yoghurt for a main?
“When I got to the checkout, I was devastated to find that I couldn’t get the meal deal as I had in fact got two mains – a huge ham and cheese roll and a small yoghurt.”
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Another added: “I fell foul of that once. Turns out that the protein yoghurts are classed as snacks, but the others (are) not.”
While a third said: “Everywhere my head turns there springs a new method for people to have my pants down.”
And a third exclaimed: “Can’t be real?!”
But others insisted the large yoghurt was a healthier breakfast option than an on-the-go sandwich, with one insisting: “If it’s early morning you can get a big yoghurt and a coffee, then save the chocolate bar for later.
“The meal deal is still better than buying them all separately.”
A Sainsbury’s spokeswoman told The Sun: “Our meal deal includes over 500 options – from sarnies and salads, to croissants, fruit and yoghurts.
“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 yoghurts are a popular breakfast main, while our smaller yoghurts are available as a snack.”
The supermarket is yet to confirm when the change was implemented.
What are the other supermarkets offering?
Last February, Tesco also changed up its meal deal offering by launching a premium version for £5 for those with a Clubcard, while customers without one pay £5.50.
Tesco also continues to offer its regular meal deal offer which costs Clubcard members £3.40, or £3.90 for non-members.
It comes after Tesco upped the price of its regular meal deals for both Clubcard and non-Clubcard holders in October 2022 by 40p.
Co-op charges members £3.50 and non-members £4 for a main, snack and drink as part of its meal deal.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Morrisons charges £3.50 for its meal deals.
The price of Asda’s meal deals varies depending on the products picked.
How to save on your supermarket shop
THERE are plenty of ways to save on your grocery shop.
You can look out for yellow or red stickers on products, which show when they’ve been reduced.
If the food is fresh, you’ll have to eat it quickly or freeze it for another time.
Making a list should also save you money, as you’ll be less likely to make any rash purchases when you get to the supermarket.
Going own brand can be one easy way to save hundreds of pounds a year on your food bills too.
This means ditching “finest” or “luxury” products and instead going for “own” or value” type of lines.
Plenty of supermarkets run wonky veg and fruit schemes where you can get cheap prices if they’re misshapen or imperfect.
For example, Lidl runs its Waste Not scheme, offering boxes of 5kg of fruit and vegetables for just £1.50.
If you’re on a low income and a parent, you may be able to get up to £442 a year in Healthy Start vouchers to use at the supermarket too.
Plus, many councils offer supermarket vouchers as part of the Household Support Fund.
