Tesco shoppers disappointed by in-store change as hygiene concerns raised - 'How many hands have touched them?'

An eagle-eyed shopper said on the Facebook group Extreme Bargains UK: "Spotted this in my local Tesco Express - not sure if all stores, but maybe useful to someone."

Alongside this message, they posted a picture of a Tesco sign that read: "From 7pm, our loose bakery products are reduced by 50 per cent."

Tesco shoppers flocked to the comments to share their thoughts, with several commenting that the reductions previously started from 5pm, meaning a two-hour delay in discounted pastries.

The supermarket makes daily reductions to bakery items to prevent food waste, meaning shoppers could previously secure a £1.20 croissant for 60p at 5pm.

Popular items up for grabs include Pain au Chocolat, Cinnamon Swirls, Vanilla Creme Crowns, Maple Pecan Plaits, and Cinnamon Turnovers.

But shoppers now have less time to grab the tasty pastries at slashed rates.

Customers expressed anger about the timing change, with many concerned about the quality of pastries after sitting out for extended periods.

One angry customer said: "Yes, it's a good idea, but most of it is baked at 6am and sits out loose for 12 hours before it gets reduced."

Others raised hygiene concerns, with one shopper commenting: "They probably have flies over them around that time." Another asked: "How many hands touched them until 7pm?"

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A frustrated customer warned: "Very much doubt there's any left at that time of day, and as they've been sitting there all day since 5am or 6am, they will be dry."

However, some shoppers praised the move, describing it as "good". Another person said they were sharing the post in case it was "useful to someone".

Some customers reported varying experiences, with one noting: "In my local Tesco, it's 5pm."

Another revealed their store had moved even later: "Ours started off as 5pm. Moved to 7pm, now 9pm."

Tesco has confirmed the change but did not clarify when it was implemented. The supermarket noted that timings do vary from store to store, but it generally offers discounts on pastry items from 7pm.

The retailer explained the shift aligns bakery reductions with other food discounts across the store. Prices may vary from store to store, but the 7pm timing is now standard practice.

Bread items are not included in the bakery reduction offer, which focuses specifically on pastries and similar baked goods.

In other Tesco news, the supermarket's "interesting" new beverages have received mixed reviews.

While one shopper admitted they are "so fed up", another proclaimed they "need to try this".

GB News has contacted Tesco for comment