Last updated 11:44, Wednesday, 30 April 2008

SUPERMARKET chain Tesco has announced that a range of its own-brand products will carry labels showing the size of the goods’ carbon footprints.

Tesco said it would label 20 items, including light bulbs, orange juice, detergent and potatoes, with their CO2 emissions during a two-year trial of the scheme, which is operated by the Carbon Trust.

Shoppers will be able to see how much carbon is emitted over the life of a product, from manufacture to disposal.

The store said it was introducing the labels in response to consumer demand.

David North, Tesco’s community and government director said: “Customers tell us that it is very important to them.

“What they have said is that they want us to help them tackle climate change.”

He added that information on products’ environmental credentials was one of the key areas where shoppers wanted more information from retailers. Initially, 20 products from four categories - detergents, orange juice, potatoes and light bulbs - will carry labels displaying the items' carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.