<![CDATA[Prepared Vegetables are Expensive]]>

MARKS & Spencer has ditched its “cauliflower steak” after being blasted for pricing it at double that of a whole cauli.

The slice, with a sachet of lemon and herb drizzle, was on offer at £2 – normally £2.50 – as we revealed. But a whole M&S cauli is just £1.05.

We revealed how M&S were charging £2.50 for cauliflower steak when a whole head cost £1.05

M&S admitted it “didn’t get it right” and has axed the slice.

But a Sun probe shows that across the board shoppers are paying way above the odds for trendy prepared veg.

Here, LYNSEY CLARKE compares the price per kilo – which can be almost £6 dearer.

Runner beans

DIFFERENCE: £5.99

Sweet potato

DIFFERENCE: £4.81

Sliced mushrooms

Redmere Farms Mushrooms 380g; 86p per pack; £2.27 per kg

DIFFERENCE: £4.40

Squash

M&S butternut noodles 250g; £1.25 per pack; £5 per kg

DIFFERENCE: £2.33

Celeriac

DIFFERENCE: £2.77

Onions

Redmere Farms Brown Onion 1kg; 59p per bag; 59p per kg

DIFFERENCE: £1.91

Courgettes

DIFFERENCE: £2.08

Carrots

DIFFERENCE: £2.68

Mushrooms

Sainsbury’s Mushroom Mince 250g; £1.20 per pack; £4.80 per kg

DIFFERENCE: £2.67

Freezer’s a price pleaser

RETAIL expert Clare Bailey says: “If you want convenience buy frozen pre-prepared vegetables instead, which are far more cost-effective as retailers don’t have to worry about shelf life.

“If we as consumers do not want to pay over the odds for pre-prepared groceries we need to vote with our wallets.

“And if you really are not happy, visit retailers’ Facebook or Twitter pages and tell them.

“If enough people put their voices forward, they can effect change.”

Potatoes

DIFFERENCE: 67p