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Annoying supermarket mistakes.

(39 Posts)
kircubbin2000 Sun 14-Dec-25 12:45:30

I have just had trouble opening a milk container sealed so tightly. Then I had to cut off the stupid 2 plastic bits holding the lid on. Why? Do they think I'll forget to put it back on?
Also my cottage cheese has no lid only foil so it will go off before I finish it. Same for large yogurt and Cole slaw.
Then my small yogurt is in either a square or round container which is shaped so that a spoon cannot access the last the corners or grooves at the bottom.
I think a lot of things are designed by people who have never used the items.

leeds22 Mon 15-Dec-25 14:12:32

I bought a pack of assorted suction silcone lids from Amazon. Not particularly cheap but over time they save money on wasted food and also mean you cut down on nasty cling film.

springishere Mon 15-Dec-25 14:37:35

I use my scissors more than anything else in the kitchen. Anything wrapped in plastic, bacon, smoked salmon, things that say "pull here to open" and don't. Why don't the manufacturers try things out on their families before selling them?

jobieP Mon 15-Dec-25 16:14:21

When or if you buy tubs with hummus, avocado etc., etc. Keep the empty tub so useful for my stash of chocolate buttons, left over yoghurt, sliced lemon etc., etc.

FranP Mon 15-Dec-25 16:15:28

Not sure what has happened, but milk tetra pac cartons seem to have changed a little, so the peel off strip doesn't. All three types have this problem in the last few months.

Yes a lot of tubs now have a clear film instead of a lid, making stacking and longevity an issue. Buy from Aldi a similar product, they still have lids. (DH eats face yoghourt and I eat Aldi and he uses my old lids, they fit my Tesco coleslaw too)

lilypollen Mon 15-Dec-25 16:30:08

The attached plastic bottle caps annoy me, liquid catches on them whe pouring and splashes onto the counter, so I cut them off, still leave them on for recycling. Jars are increasingly difficult to open due to vacuum seal. I solved this by carefully prising under the lid with a spoon handle which releases the vacuum.

Severnside Mon 15-Dec-25 17:09:51

I always use my oldfashioned nut crackers to open tight lids such as milk bottles.

cc Mon 15-Dec-25 17:10:00

hollysteers

I’m irritated by very tough complete plastic sealing when I have to use scissors to cut around the fish/bacon etc and find myself in danger of being cut from the very sharp edges left behind.

@hollysteers and @springishere I agree, this is so irritating as it effectively means you have to have to put and food you have left into new packaging. Fish is particularly annoying as the packaging is so touch and it's often virtually double wrapped.

cc Mon 15-Dec-25 17:13:11

Sorry typos I can't correct in my last post:

hollysteers and springishere I agree, this is so irritating as it effectively means you have to have to put any food you have left into new packaging. Fish is particularly annoying as the packaging is so tough and it's often virtually double wrapped.

cc Mon 15-Dec-25 17:13:58

I don't really want to start saving packaging to reuse it, that really would be turning into my mother!

cc Mon 15-Dec-25 17:21:13

There are quite a few UHT drinks in packaging with spouty openings that pivot half back into the pack now, you have to use a potato peeler or knife to cut through the lids to stop them ripping. I'm not convinced that any plastic/card/foil packs are really recyclable as the layers can't be separated.
I read the other day that it isn't economic to recycle much of the glass that we use, though our local authority still collects it. I suppose that it better to buy drinks in plastic bottles really, though like others I find the attached lids inconvient especially when screwing them back on the bottles.

AuntieE Mon 15-Dec-25 18:07:02

Actually, I have always cynically believed that packaging of anything from foodstuffs to shampoo is deliberately made so you cannot get the last of the commodity out of the bottle or packet.

This way the makers sell more of their product, as we throw a certain quantity of it away. If we can use the last little drop by turning the container upside down, we save money and the makers loose it.

Milest0ne Mon 15-Dec-25 23:07:06

I have used some bottle tops with the tag attached. as a hanger It means cutting off the top of the bottle to get the lid and ring intact. I then piece a hole in the lid and put a coat hanger hook through it leaving the ring to go over a hanger on the rail. I can then hang several garments ,one below the other using other bottle tops.
On a different note
I purchased a bottle of lemonade but when I opened the boot lid, I was sprayed with lemonade as the bottle was faulty. I went back to the supermarket and was told by a "manager' that he couldn't do anything about it because I should have taken it back within 24 hours OR that -- as an over 80 year old-- that it was probably my trainers and walking stick lying loose in the boot that damaged the bottle shock angry A few days later the same thing occurred with a milk bottle which leaked milk in my fridge and onto the kitchen floor. If the product had been faulty I would have complained to trading standards. It seems that the plastic manufacturers are cutting down on the weight of plastic, but there needs to be a balance between adequate packaging and not enough or too much.

Mojack26 Tue 16-Dec-25 10:21:47

Totally agree and they forget people that have limited ability in their hands etc! Reallydrives me mad