Two consciencious activists skipped a haul of chocolate cakes, fruit and other delicacies from commercial waste bins outside on an M&S store in West Bridford, recently built on the site of a local park.

The food was safe to eat but had been discarded due to a short shelf-life. However, as the pair left the site they were intercepted and their path blocked by store staff and security. They were locked into the site and forced to give back their food, and were also labelled 'theives'. Employees said they would call the police as a crime had been committed.

The food had been thrown away but staff thought its salvation was unacceptable. M&S have yet to comment. Earlier in the year, Marks & Spencer were exposed for spoiling wasted food by covering products such as bread and fresh fruit and vegetables in blue ink, and opening packets of discarded products to promote contamination.

And last year staff at Nottingham's city centre M&S store physically impeded people who were trying to rescue large amounts of bread from their waste bins during a Critical Mass bike ride.

The store refuses to feed hungry people with its extravagant waste, despite the fact that it could actually save them money. Representatives have pointed out Health & Safety issues, but in fact the company would not be liable due to the actions of people choosing to cut food wastage and landfill and incineration by rescuing food from bins.


 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/03/365383.html?c=on#comments