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UK | Innovation
Ground-breaking avocado ripeness scanner, trialled by Tesco The scanner will allow customers to choose the ideal avocado for them, helping them plan their desired use and shelf life, as they won't have to squeeze them to determine their firmness. 9/15/2025
 Avocado scanner in Tesco.
Tesco has tested an innovative avocado scanner that will help consumers assess fruit ripeness in stores and reduce waste at home. Using the scanner, customers will be able to tell if the avocado they've chosen is ideal for slicing into a salad or ripe enough to be mashed and eaten on toast. Tesco stores testing the scanner in the UK include Cheshunt Extra and Colchester Superstore in Essex, Stratford-upon-Avon Superstore in Warwickshire, Wokingham Superstore in Berkshire, and Salisbury Extra in Wiltshire. The OneThird avocado scanner, named after the Dutch company that invented it, can measure an avocado's ripeness in seconds. It uses infrared technology to accurately read the interior of the fruit. Simply hold the avocado close to the scanner, and the reading reveals one of two options: whether it's ready to be mashed or better sliced for a salad. Avocados have never been so popular, and last year the supermarket sold nearly 15 million more than in the previous 52 weeks. In recent years, mashed avocado on sourdough bread has also become popular, either as a breakfast or snack. This is prepared by scooping out a very ripe avocado, mashing it, and adding the mashed fruit to sourdough or other toasted bread. Tesco Avocado Buyer Lisa Lawrence commented: “The scanner will allow shoppers to choose the ideal avocado for them, helping them plan their usage and desired shelf life, thereby reducing waste. It encourages shoppers to check ripeness without squeezing, which helps protect avocados on the shelf from damage, reduces waste, and keeps produce fresh in store.” “Mashed avocado on sourdough bread remains one of the trendiest snacks of the moment, with recipe ideas racking up millions of views on social media, so we think the scanner will be very popular with shoppers.” Tesco collaborated on this project with Westfalia Fruit, a global supplier and avocado expert based in Spalding, Lincolnshire. Tom Kearns, Retail Director at Westfalia Fruit, said: “The launch of the One Third Avocado Scanner with Tesco is an exciting innovation that not only aligns with long-term sustainability goals but also enhances the shopper experience, helping them choose the avocado with the perfect ripeness for their needs, whether ready to slice or mash. “The One Third Avocado Scanner is just one of many initiatives we’ve worked on over the past year, from trialing laser barcodes on avocados that remove the plastic label from Tesco’s loose avocado lines, to implementing cardboard and paper packaging across all Tesco pre-packed avocado lines, saving 20 million pieces of plastic annually.”
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