Shoppers have warned that fraud at supermarkets is on the rise after reports some customers are swapping out cheaper eggs for more expensive boxes to get cheaper payments at the till.
The issue was highlighted in a social media video shared by customer Anita Wong, who said she unknowingly bought a Waitrose branded Clarence Court Burford Buff Egg, only to discover that the contents were different from the packaging.
The specialty eggs retailed for £3.35 for a pack of six, but Ms Wong claimed that when she got home, the eggs inside looked like standard eggs rather than premium ones.
She said she knew something was wrong when she noticed the Clarence Coat crown logo, which is usually stamped on Burford Buff eggs, was missing.
Wong said she returned to the store to report the problem, but a store employee identified what had happened and suggested this type of tampering was becoming more common.
“This is what is happening in many supermarkets right now,” Wong said in his Instagram video.
He argued that shoppers were “decanting” more expensive eggs into cheaper boxes, which could lead to other shoppers paying premium prices for lower-value items.
The incident comes as the price of eggs has risen in recent years, widening the gap between staple and specialty items, and increasing pressure on household food budgets.
There are also broader concerns about food integrity and consumer trust in labels and provenance, and these issues are becoming increasingly important throughout the supply chain.
The egg industry has long emphasized the importance of clear labeling and traceability, especially as shoppers pay close attention to origin and production standards.
