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Cornflour disappearing from supermarket shelves?

(61 Posts)
MawtheMerrier Tue 15-Nov-22 21:53:44

From latest news in the DT

Used to do everything from thickening Sunday roast gravies to making shortbread biscuits light and crumbly, cornflour was, and is, a necessity for most home cooks.
But now there are fears it could disappear from supermarket shelves forever after Tesco announced it was no longer selling the product as a result of “low customer demand
The revelation came after one unhappy customer posted on Twitter asking the company why it was no longer stocking cornflour
A spokesman for Tesco responded by saying: “Cornflour has been discontinued because of low customer demand I'm afraid “.”
This prompted outrage on the internet forum for parents, Mumsnet, with users saying that although they often didn’t buy the product more than once every six months, it was still an essential part of their food cupboard

Quick check kitchen cupboards-yes, got one! .

Redhead56 Wed 16-Nov-22 09:27:31

I got the only packet left on the shelf last week its not being being restocked I was told. Arrowroot tapioca semolina boudoir biscuits just a few things I use that are not on our local shops shelves anymore.
I asked in Sainsbury's last week for pudding rice and was told no demand for it. I was then directed to shelves were tinned pudding is stocked. To say I wasn’t impressed is putting it mildly.
If you don’t cook or bake you are laughing ready made food is available everywhere. It’s ok if that’s what you want and I am sure it’s convenient but it’s not for me and never has been.

MiniMoon Wed 16-Nov-22 09:23:09

I use cornflour at least twice a week. My current box from Tesco's is over half empty. I must ask DH to buy some more when he's next out shopping. He works part time in the Co-op and they haven't sold cornflour for ages.

25Avalon Wed 16-Nov-22 09:23:02

Big article in The Telegraph saying there is a shortage, but not why, so now there really will be as we all stockpile. Makes a change from toilet rolls grin

TerriBull Wed 16-Nov-22 08:37:20

I use flour for thickening, although I have cornflour in my cupboard, I don't use it that often, for meringue I think. I notice a lot of American recipes include corn starch which I presume is the same. When my granddaughter comes to stay as she is gluten intolerant, I've found the gluten free flour works just as well as a thickening agent.

Whitewavemark2 Wed 16-Nov-22 08:35:32

Well, they do sell it but only in little tubs of 110gms.

Mind you, if it becomes a desired product it would probably mean that they sell it in larger quantities.

Whitewavemark2 Wed 16-Nov-22 08:24:02

I reckon (must look) that if I go onto the Dove site, they will sell it there.

Whitewavemark2 Wed 16-Nov-22 08:22:47

kittylester

I've added 2 boxes to my Sainsbury's order as I use quite a lot.

I’ve done exactly the same🙂.

kittylester Wed 16-Nov-22 08:21:32

I've added 2 boxes to my Sainsbury's order as I use quite a lot.

Blondiescot Wed 16-Nov-22 08:07:53

I used some at the weekend and was just thinking I should really get another box. I use it for various things, including 'velvetising' meat for Chinese cooking.

GrannyLaine Wed 16-Nov-22 08:07:00

I've bought cornflour recently in Lidl.

teabagwoman Wed 16-Nov-22 07:55:22

Yet another problem to solve. I always use ground rice in my shortbread and that’s hit the buffers too. Hey ho!

ilovepuffins Wed 16-Nov-22 06:29:17

Yes please JackyB !
I have to make a large batch of chocolate dipped shortbread and always use cornflour so will try Sainsburys later

JackyB Wed 16-Nov-22 05:25:29

I often substitute up to a quarter of the amount of flour for cornflour in cakes and biscuits for a lighter texture. And of course use it for thickening sauces where necessary. Here in Germany there is no question of it ever going out of fashion - well not for ten years at least. That is the amount of time it usually takes trends to get here.

When doing out a cupboard the other day, I discovered that I had two unopened packs - had forgotten I'd bought it and gone and bought another one "just in case". May be doing some baking with the grandchildren so it will come in handy.

Shall I send a carton over?

BlueBelle Wed 16-Nov-22 04:35:14

As I said up thread if you have a B and M it’s still there and cheap a lot of food is cheaper in B and M well worth a visit

Doodledog Wed 16-Nov-22 01:12:27

Sainsburys have it in stock at £1.75 for 500g.

I always have it in stock but don’t use it a lot (mainly in Chinese cooking), so I don’t know if that is expensive or not.

I added a pack to my order just in case #suggestible 😂

mumofmadboys Tue 15-Nov-22 23:31:39

I've never used cornflour to make pavlova. I follow the Delia Smith recipe.

Margiknot Tue 15-Nov-22 23:23:53

I could not buy cornflour last time I needed a new pack. I bought something called thickening flour instead- it is not corn flour, but works in a roux.

Callistemon21 Tue 15-Nov-22 23:17:19

NotSpaghetti

Many kitchen uses for cornflour. In addition to the ones outlined - some meringue, cake decorating, Turkish delight...

Lots of educational experiments using it.

Great (and safe) instead of talc too!

My last purchase was from Ocado I think.

Meringue for pavlova needs a small spoonful of cornflour.
Ordinary flour will not work.

It seems to be out of stock everywhere.
Why?

NotSpaghetti Tue 15-Nov-22 23:15:08

Many kitchen uses for cornflour. In addition to the ones outlined - some meringue, cake decorating, Turkish delight...

Lots of educational experiments using it.

Great (and safe) instead of talc too!

My last purchase was from Ocado I think.

Callistemon21 Tue 15-Nov-22 22:51:19

Tesco don't have any.

It's as if it never was!

Cornflour is not that expensive, blends easily and, most importantly, is gluten-free.

Cabbie21 Tue 15-Nov-22 22:49:10

I always use it for cheese sauce and occasionally for thickening.

Callistemon21 Tue 15-Nov-22 22:47:05

I'm demanding it!

welbeck Tue 15-Nov-22 22:45:55

i have never bought it.
don't really know what it is.

Urmstongran Tue 15-Nov-22 22:45:19

Oh heck.
It’s my go-to when making gravy. I used two forkfuls this evening to make some, adding a few drops of gravy browning.
Seems I might have to learn new tricks.

Old Dog.

BlueBelle Tue 15-Nov-22 22:41:26

I bought some recently in B and M they seemed to have plenty Didn’t realise there was a shortage I use cornflour for thickening soups, vegi stews, cauliflower cheese etc etc so use it a fair bit