Tesco says the use of shellac is industry standard
(Picture: inguaribile_viaggiatore via Pixabay )Tesco is seeking alternatives to its non vegan citrus fruit after receiving criticism from plant-based buyers.
Some citrus fruits sold at the supermarket chain, including lemons, limes and oranges, are covered in a post-harvest wax containing shellac.
Shellac, a resin secreted by the female lac bug on trees in the forests of India and Thailand, is not suitable for anyone sticking to a strictly vegan diet.
Tesco has labelled fruits with shellac as ‘non-vegan’.
The wax is designed to give fruit a longer shelf life to reduce waste, but it means vegans cannot use the fruit’s peel or zest in cooking.
Instead they have to buy Tesco’s organic citrus fruits, or certain lemons, to avoid the wax.
The supermarket chain has attracted criticism from customers online.
But it argues that the use of shellac is an industry standard practise, not unique to Tesco, and it is doing buyers a favour by alerting them to which fruits are vegan or not.
In response to criticism Tesco said it’s working with growers to develop an alternative wax, but it said reducing food waste is also important.
One Twitter user, Charmaine, wrote: “For those that mocked me for raising the issue @Tesco oranges, clementines and other citrus fruit are not suitable for #Vegans, #Tesco has listened and looking for alternatives. Thank you Tesco.”
Sainsbury’s apple and exotic fruit ranges are free of waxes containing shellac as an ingredient.
“We regularly review our fruit ranges and are currently trialling a number of alternatives to wax containing shellac across our citrus fruit ranges,” the supermarket told the Standard.
Sainsbury’s said citrus fruits which are coated with shellac are “clearly marked”.
