Coles and Woolworths will roll out no-added-wax apples nationally in 2017, responding to consumer demand for more natural fresh-food produce.
Coles says all apples at its supermarkets across the nation will be sold with no added wax from the end of January, following a successful trial in Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory.
The retailer claims it will be the first major Australian supermarket in decades to offer only no-added-wax apples.
Wax has traditionally been used to enhance the appearance of apples, but Coles is removing the process after research indicated more than 70 per cent of Australians liked the idea of buying no-added-wax apples.
“We’ve had no-added-wax apples in more than 90 Coles supermarkets in WA since April [2016], and more than 60 stores in SA and the NT since September,” Coles General Manager Fresh Produce Brad Gorman said. “It was a bold move, but our customers responded to it really well, which was fantastic.
“We know our customers want to eat more natural, fresh foods, so we’re proud to work with apple growers all over Australia to remove the waxing process and offer a more natural version of this Australian favourite.”
New-season apples sold at Woolworths nationally from February 2017 will have no wax added to them.
Woolworths says the move has been undertaken in full consultation with both the industry body APAL (Apple and Pear Australia Ltd) and all Woolworths apple suppliers.
“Our decision has come about due to growing customer requests for us to explore more ways for them to purchase fruit and vegetables as nature intended,” Woolworths Head of Produce Scott Davidson said. “Woolworths already sells organic apples with no added wax across most stores nationwide.
“Announcing our move to no added wax on apples well ahead of the new-season launch in February will give our grower partners the benefit of more time to adapt to the new requirements.”
Woolworths says it sells an estimated 370 million apples each year, all Australian grown, with up to eight different varieties on offer dependent on the time of the year. The most popular variety is Pink Lady, followed closely by the Royal Gala and then the Granny Smith.
