Tesco has defended its imports of peas and beans from Zimbabwe, after MP Peter Hain condemned UK supermarkets for selling produce from the devastated African country.
Richard Bacon grilled Tesco representative Dharshini David on his Radio 5 Live show last night, asking her why the supermarket giant has continued to source fresh produce from Zimbabwe, why it is not more clearly labelled and how the retailer is able to square importing food from a country in which people are starving.
David insisted that Tesco only uses one supplier who sources from the country, with which the supermarket has had a relationship for more than 10 years. She maintained the peas and mangetout imported from Zimbabwe made up a “small seasonal range” that does not appear all year round.
She said: “It is a small contract, but it affects thousands of employees and we can’t turn our backs on them.
“It is vital for us that we put these suppliers and workers first, and make sure we support them at this very difficult time indeed,” she added.
David reiterated that all growers supplying Tesco are subject to strict audits, especially in Zimbabwe, which she said is being “monitored closer than ever”.
She added that all fresh produce was clearly labeled with its country of origin.
