“Wonky” Veggie Controversy Subsides As U.K. Grocer Reports Vigorous Sales

After a prominent chef complained that British grocery chains were wasting tons of vegetables because they were “wonky” – oversize, undersize, cracked, or misshapen – Morrisons has relaxed its veggie cosmetics rules. The chain conducted a test that found wonky veggies, mainly potatoes, carrots, onions and parsnips, were acceptable to consumers and sold well, especially when discounted. Morrisons also issued a reprieve for wonky brussels sprouts, many of them considered “monster” size because of the recent warm growing season. TV chef and food waste campaigner Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall pooh-poohed the poor results of an earlier Morrisons test sale of wonky courgettes (zucchini) – they sold more slowly than normal courgettes – as “pathetic.”