Supermarket removes product from shelves following customer backlash

A supermarket has removed a controversial product from its shelves following customer backlash.

Supamart IGA Pennant Hills has told nine.com.au their Broken Easter Eggs product – consisting of broken Easter egg chocolate packed in plastic food containers – is no longer being sold.

A spokesperson has since told nine.com.au: "In this instance, a product was made available outside of its original packaging as part of an effort to minimise unnecessary waste, however upon review and after hearing customer feedback, we have removed it from our shelves."

It was a customer at the Sydney store who first flagged the product, taking to Reddit's 'Sydney' thread

"Pictured at Pennant Hills IGA, Broken Easter Eggs for sale?!" the said, alongside a photo of the product.

"Seriously and there isn't even a full Easter egg worth in there!!"

The image shows a stack of containers with a label that reads: "BROKEN EASTER EGGS" which, according to the label, were packed on April 2 and priced at $6 each. The post was shared on Easter Monday.

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The weight of the chocolate in each container isn't listed. Instead they state "1 pc", with one customer simply asking: "Is this a joke?"

Redditors were left shocked by the product and quickly let their feelings known.

While some were shocked at the very concept of selling broken Easter egg chocolate and the high price, some were more concerned about where the broken Easter egg chocolate was sourced from.

Nine.com.au contacted IGA for comment and has since been told by a spokesperson: "At Supamart IGA Pennant Hills we're always looking for ways to reduce waste and support more sustainable practices in store.

"We remain committed to listening to our local community and ensuring we continue to meet customer expectations across the store."

Redditors had questioned where the broken Easter egg chocolate had been sourced from, however Supamart IGA Pennant Hills' spokesperson stopped short of explaining this exactly.

Their response was: "A product was made available outside of its original packaging as part of an effort to minimise unnecessary waste".

Was an Easter egg shipment damaged?

Did a manufacturer run out of colourful foil?

We may never know.

One Redditor suggested the broken Easter egg chocolate was the result of stock damaged by customers.

"I worked retail. Many broken Easter eggs were poked through or otherwise sampled by customers," one Redditor commented.

"This is a hygiene issue if those eggs are a part of this."

"I was just thinking it depends on how the eggs got broken, but I can't think of a way that be okay," another replied on the thread.

"Unless they got broken in transit from the manufacturer at which point, wouldn't they claim it back that way?"

One Redditor added: "Interesting. Great idea, should be far cheaper than 6 dollars. Hadn't considered the safety/hygiene aspect."

"Buying broken Easter eggs after Easter has always been a thing, but not for this kind of money," one Redditor claimed.

"This should be $1," another replied.

But one Redditor agreed it is the cost that is the issue and commented, "I like they aren't throwing it away, but should be $1 a tub. I think a whole egg at $6 is already overpriced!"

"Buy Easter eggs at half price," another suggested.

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