M&S accused of misleading shoppers over black pudding label

Retailer M&S says a “packaging error” is to blame for labelling on a Scottish black pudding product that could have led consumers to incorrectly believe that it contained fresh pork from higher welfare farms.

The retailer, which is regarded as a market leader on the provenance of its food products, has reacted swiftly to make changes to the labelling of its Scottish “four black pudding slices” item, after it provoked annoyance among butchers and farmers.

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The product, made by Macsween of Edinburgh, bears the labelling “M&S fresh pork is outdoor bred and raised to higher welfare standards”.

But the list of ingredients shows that the only pig product it contains is dried pork blood.

Fergus Howie, an AHDB Monitor pig farmer, said he expected M&S to be “at the head of the pack” when it came to labelling.

“They charge the consumer a premium for food by sourcing it in the most welfare and environmentally friendly way, so the consumer needs to be confident that any labelling isn’t misleading,” he said.

M&S response

M&S said it would make an immediate change to the wording after Farmers Weekly’s intervention.

“At M&S we are very proud that all of our fresh pork is from outdoor bred pigs,” said an M&S spokesman.

“The ingredients list for this product clearly shows that it does not contain fresh pork, so we will change this packaging error immediately.”