Shoppers have been airing their opinions of the product on social media and on the chain's product review section on its website.

It comes after Sainsbury's announced earlier in the year that it was the first UK retailer to vacuum pack all beef mince as a way of "saving 450 tonnes of plastic each year".

The packing uses a minimum of 55% less plastic as the company hopes to work towards its goal of "halving its use of plastic packaging in own-brand products by 2025".

On its website, Sainsbury's said the beef mince products were vacuum packed for "freshness" too - this is done by removing all oxygen, which "typically causes a product to eventually spoil".

The firm said the packing contains the same amount of beef mince but has reduced in size, which also enables branches to use fridge and freezer space more efficiently.

'Feels very medical'

Despite the eco-friendly move - many Twitter users had something to say about it.

One user wrote: "The new packaging for your beef mince destroys the mince and squashes it to a mushy texture. It tastes horrible even my children noticed the difference."

While another said it "feels very medical".

Some had harsher opinions: "It's so hard to get out the packet, looks disgusting after a day or so even if before use date. Vile."

But not everyone hated the idea.

One user said: "Well done to @sainsburys for leading the charge to reduce plastic packaging and carbon waste! Great to see a big retailer taking their carbon footprint seriously and trying new things! Keep going!"

Another added: "All the problems in the world and some fellow Brits seem to be losing their minds about beef mince packaging designed to cut down plastic use. Honestly, some people."

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It is the latest in a string of changes made by the supermarket in its bid to halve the use of own-brand plastic packaging.

In 2018, it reduced plastic packaging by 1% and in 2019, the firm introduced refillable packaging to slash plastic use.

Richard Crampton, director of fresh food at Sainsbury's, said: "We know customers expect us to reduce plastic packaging and we are committed to making bold changes for our customers and the environment.

"This small change makes a big difference, more than halving the plastic used in our beef mince range and also reducing food waste.

"We are always listening to feedback and can see lots of our customers are already getting used to the change."