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News channels in Europe react to UK rationing

Tesco has followed Aldi, Asda and Morrisons in introducing customer limits on certain fresh produce as shortages leave supermarket shelves bare.

The UK’s biggest supermarket has introduced a temporary buying limit of three items per customer on tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers as a precautionary measure.

The supermarket said it was working hard with its suppliers to ensure a good supply of vegetables for customers in light of temporary supply challenges on some lines due to adverse weather conditions abroad.

Aldi has placed limits on peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes as retailers warned the shortages – although expected to be temporary – were likely to last weeks.

A number of people have taken to social media to share pictures of well-stocked shelves in Europe.

One Eurostar staff member posted a video from a supermarket encouraging Brits to take a two-hour trip from London to stock up on supplies.

Newspapers in Europe have reacted with bemusement at the UK’s current predicament.

In France, BFM TV, a 24-hour rolling news and weather channel, ran a segment on Brits being rationed to two tomatoes per person.

While in Germany, one publication ran with: “Vegetables are the new toilet paper”.

Related: TalkTV host shuts down reporter after he links food shortages to Brexit

Jack Peat

Jack is a business and economics journalist and the founder of The London Economic (TLE). He has contributed articles to VICE, Huffington Post and Independent and is a published author. Jack read History at the University of Wales, Bangor and has a Masters in Journalism from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

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