Tesco IDs woman for ‘fermentable’ fruit

A woman buying a pot of fruit at Tesco claims she was asked for ID because it could ferment and turn into alcohol.

As reported by the Metro, Kate Lancaster, said a self-service till at a Tesco in Plymouth flashed up as “requiring ID” as she was purchasing a pot of watermelon and grapes.

After a member of staff verified that she was over 18, Lancaster emailed the supermarket to enquire about the policy. She claims she was sent an emailing telling her that a new policy meant that “fruit will be age verified in case natural fermentation takes place”.

Tesco later claimed the quip about fermentable fruit was intended to be a joke and that it was not planning on restricting the sale of fruit.

Having written about the email she had received on Tesco’s Facebook page, an employee responded: “I’m really sorry that you received this email and please let me assure you that we will not be asking for ID for fruit in our stores.”

A spokesperson later added: “Our customer service colleague’s comment about natural fermentation was meant as a joke – we’re sorry if it was taken literally. Of course we have no plans to age restrict fruit sales. Our team have apologised for any confusion and are sending Mrs Lancaster a fruit basket as a gesture of goodwill.”