When war broke out in Ukraine, several of Norway’s largest food chains sprang into action to show solidarity.
Meny searched his store shelves for Russian goods such as chocolate and other confectionery, cookies and hygiene products. In total, there were about 20 items from 12 Russian suppliers that they removed from their stores.
Meny’s managing director Vegard Kjuus announced that their thoughts were on Ukraine.
“From solidarity, our stores now take out all the goods that are from Russia. And to support Ukraine, we are happy to take new products from Ukraine,” he told Kampanje.
CEO: Vegard Kjuus. Photo: Menu.
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However, today’s customer newsletter, published six months later, suggests otherwise: along with Norwegian pumpkins and South African clementines, the grocery store’s “healthy inspiration” offers of the week include fresh lingonberries from Russia.
According to Kjuusi, this is due to an error in proofreading.
The lingonberries are of Swedish origin.
– I want to apologize. We have zero tolerance for this, Kjuus writes to Dagbladet.
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Communications Manager Nina Horn Hynne explains that Menu had cranberries on offer a year ago as well. At that time, the berries were Russian.
– A mistake was made here. This has been corrected in the online customer newsletters, but unfortunately we couldn’t get to print. It’s unfortunate, he says.
MISS CRANBERRIES: So there are Swedish cranberries in plastic buckets, for those who don’t have time to pick their own. Photo: Dagbladet
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It is approx. 300,000 Norwegians who receive Meny’s customer newsletter. According to Hynne, it is likely that they will receive complaints from customers.
– We haven’t received any complaints yet, but mislabeling tends to cause reactions. It’s always boring. Obviously, we want to provide correct information.
Communications manager says Meny stores are still boycotting all Russian goods. Whether it will ever end, Hynne won’t answer.
COMMUNICATION MANAGER: Nina Horn Hynne. Photo: Menu
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Even if Russian food products do not reach store shelves, it is not possible to find Ukrainian products either, which director Vegard Kjuus i Meny welcomed.
– Ukraine’s focus is understandably not on exporting goods, but on ensuring self-sufficiency. So we have not been given access to Ukrainian goods, but of course we are positive if it becomes relevant, says Hynne, head of communications.