SAINSBURY’S shoppers are furious after noticing a change to a popular grocery item.
Customers were shocked to see the price of its Sweetened Long Life Soya Drink 1L had risen and the recipe had been changed.
The plant-based drink was a hit with many households as it offered an alternative to dairy products and could be used in tea or cereal.
But customers have expressed their anger after noticing the cost of the product has increased to £1.25.
It was previously price matched to Aldi, which currently charges 99p for the drink.
Leaving a review under the product on the Sainsbury’s website one shopper said: “This was being price matched with Aldi and Lidl. Very disappointing to see it having gone up in price again.
“Unfortunately it is enough to make me say goodbye to Sainsbury’s again.”
Shoppers have also moaned about the recipe of this product changing, with one claiming the product is now “undrinkable”.
They said: “I used to buy this instead of Alpro, however Sainsbury’s have put up the price significantly and changed the recipe and packaging.
“It is now undrinkable. It has less protein and twice the sugar of Alpro.”
A third upset customer also said the drink is now too “watery” and contains too much sugar for their taste.
A Sainsbury’s spokesperson confirmed to The Sun that the product is not currently in its price match scheme.
They said, “We regularly review the products included in our Aldi Price Match scheme and we are committed to offering outstanding value across thousands of items through Low Everyday Prices, Nectar Prices, Aldi Price Match and our value Stamford Street range.”
At £1.25, Sainsbury’s sweetened soya drink costs the same as what shoppers would pay at Tesco for its version of the product.
It’s also on par with what Asda charges for its own brand product and Morrisons.
Meanwhile Waitrose asks customers to pay £1.30 for the milk alternative.
The cheapest on the market is currently Aldi, which charges 99p for a litre of the soya drink.
It’s not the first time Sainsbury’s has raised prices for customers.
Customers were shocked to see the price of its own brand long-life milk rise by 31p.
The dairy product is a hit with many households as it is designed to last longer than milk you would find in the chilled aisle of the supermarket.
But customers have expressed their anger after noticing the product which used to cost 89p has now risen to £1.20.
SUPERMARKET PRICE RISES
Sainsbury’s is not the only grocery store that raised the prices of certain items in recent weeks,
For example, Tesco has hiked the cost of its deal on ready meals.
The retailer previously charged £7.50 for two of its Finest ready meals, but this has gone up to two for £8 with a Clubcard in recent months.
The promotion includes popular choices such as Tesco‘s Finest Ham Hock Leek & Gratin, Spaghetti Bolognese and Cottage Pie.
Individually, the meals have gone up from £4.25 to £4.50.
Meanwhile, its cheaper ready-made dinners, including Macaroni Cheese, Chicken & Bacon Pasta Bake and Bangers & Mash have gone from three for £7.50 to three for £8.
The cost of each has also risen from £3.25 to £3.30. In some cases, the packaging has been redesigned from a round shape to a rectangular one.
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.
