Tesco has announced a new trial of “ground-breaking” scanners that will help shoppers to figure out the ripeness of fruit in stores, but many have slammed the technology as a “waste of money”.
The machines, currently designed for avocados only, aim to benefit customers by reducing waste at home.
The OneThird Avocado Scanners, named after the Dutch company that invented them, will be piloted in a handful of supermarkets for now.
How to use the 'ground-breaking' new Tesco avocado scanner
@p.kiri Avocado rappienes tester in Tesco?? 👀🥑 #TescoTok #TescoExtra #Avocado #RipeAndReady ♬ original sound - ᶜ ʰ ˡ ˡ ˣ ᵉ ᵈ ⁱ ᵗ ˢ - chllxedits
The fruit-checking gadget can measure the ripeness of an avocado in seconds, and it works by using infrared technology to read exactly what the fruit looks like inside, Tesco has explained.
All shoppers need to do is hold the avocado in front of the scanner, and a reading on the scanner then reveals one of two settings – "if the avocado is immediately ready for smashing or whether it is better used to be sliced in a salad".
The Tesco stores trialling the scanner at the time of writing are:
- Cheshunt Extra and Colchester Superstore in Essex
- Stratford upon Avon Superstore in Warwickshire
- Wokingham Superstore in Berkshire
- Salisbury Extra in Wiltshire
However, it seems many shoppers are confused as to why the OneThird Avocado Scanners are needed.
As someone took to Reddit to ask: “Why do we need this technology? It’s not that hard to check avocado ripeness. Waste of money.”
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A second person wrote: “What is this all about? Do people struggle with knowing avocado ripeness? It’s pretty easy to tell just by picking one up. Such a waste of effort and resources.”
While one user commented: “By the time they are done, humans won't be able to do anything for themselves. True Wall-E future.”
Yet others are in “support” of the invention, as this account wrote: “If it stops shoppers from ‘squeezing’ and bruising every piece of fruit they touch, I support it.”
In agreement, another said: “The issue with checking fruits is that people often damage the fruit in doing so.”
A third customer explained: “As someone who likes to make homemade guac rather than a Mexican restaurant run, I love this idea.”
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Tesco avocado buyer Lisa Lawrence revealed: “The scanner will enable shoppers to choose the avocado that is right for them and which therefore can help them plan their usage and desired shelf life, thereby cutting down on waste.
"It encourages shoppers to check ripeness without squeezing, helping protect avocados on shelf from damage, reducing waste, and keeping produce fresher in store."
Lisa continued: “Smashed avocado on sourdough continues to be one of the trendiest snacks at the moment, with recipes ideas garnering millions of views on social media sites, so we think the scanner will be really popular with shoppers.”
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Are Tesco scan as you shop checks random?
Tesco states: "From time to time, the Scan as you Shop system will prompt us to check a few products at random in a customer's trolley.
"This is to make sure everything's working as it should be and that you're being charged the right amount.
"Occasionally, if we suspect there's a problem, we may need to rescan all of your shopping.
"Don't worry. If this happens to you, one of our Customer Assistants will be on hand to help."
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