Shoppers at a UK Sainsbury's store were left laughing after discovering a major supermarket slip-up: bottles of Tesco milk sitting on the shelves.
The Accidental Rival Delivery
The amusing incident came to light when a customer struggled to scan a milk bottle at the self-checkout. Taking a closer look, they realised the barcode wouldn't work because the container was branded for Sainsbury's rival, Tesco. After alerting staff, the incorrectly delivered stock was swiftly removed from sale.
The shopper shared the story on Reddit, prompting a wave of amusement from other users. However, several commenters with inside knowledge revealed that such supermarket mistakes occur more frequently than the public might imagine.
Insiders Reveal a Common Occurrence
One former Sainsbury's employee claimed mix-ups like this happened about once a week at their store, with the misdelivered goods often given to colleagues for free. They explained that the milk frequently comes from the same dairy and is delivered by the same lorry, differing only in the label applied.
Another user, who stated they worked for the company producing milk for most major supermarkets, provided crucial details. As a delivery driver, they confirmed that errors can happen when bottles look similar and drivers are in a rush.
The financial stakes for such an error are extraordinarily high. The driver revealed that Sainsbury's conducts random external audits, and the fine for a misplaced bottle is a staggering £175 per unit. A single trolley containing 80 incorrect bottles could therefore incur a penalty nearing £14,000.
Strict Supply Chains and Supermarket 'Snobbery'
The insider also addressed a common customer query about whether the milk itself is different. They confirmed that Tesco and Sainsbury's milk comes from separate, dedicated farms and is stored in brand-specific silos. The supply chains are kept entirely separate, with huge fines and batch disposal enforced if they were to mix.
This revelation led a final commenter to mock supermarket snobbery, noting that many own-brand products are identical items made in the same factories, with only the label and price being different.
While the Sainsbury's milk blunder provided a moment of light-hearted confusion for shoppers, it peeled back the curtain on the high-pressure, tightly regulated world of supermarket logistics, where a simple labelling error can carry a breathtaking price tag.
