M&S fans share the same plea over new chocolate sourdough bloomer

M&S shoppers have been left divided over the supermarket's latest bakery offering, after they revealed a delicious looking sourdough bloomer packed full of chocolate chunks.

Plenty of people are keen to get their hands on it... quite literally.

There's just one thing stopping some customers from adding the festive loaf to their M&S shopping baskets, and it's the way it's being displayed.

The tempting-looking loaf has caught shoppers' attention, but rather than discussing how delicious it looks or what they'd spread on a slice, fans have been asking the same question: why isn't it wrapped?

The uncovered loaf has prompted a flurry of comments from shoppers who aren't particularly comfortable with bread being left exposed on supermarket shelves, especially in busy stores where hundreds of people might walk past it every day.

It's fair to say some aren't holding back.

The loaf sounds delicious, but many shoppers are complaining about the wrapping (or lack of) (M&S)

M&S shoppers aren't impressed with the uncovered bread

The chocolate sourdough bloomer was featured in a post shared by Very British Problems on Facebook, but the reaction quickly turned towards food hygiene.

The loaf has a cardboard label wrapped around the centre, leaving the majority exposed, with the loaves stacked in the open on a table.

Many shops are providing tongs with a bag to place them into, but shoppers are getting upset at people handling the bread for photos, squeezing it, before putting it back.

One shopper made their feelings clear, writing: "Can you wrap it before putting it on shelves?"

Another raised concerns about the number of people passing the bakery display, commenting: "People walking past coughing, breathing and some picking it up and putting it back down."

One sarcastically wrote: "Love when so many people touch it. Not many wash their hands after using toilet, so delicious."

Another added: "My pet hate! Uncovered food open to grubby hands, coughs and sneezes! No thanks."

Someone else agreed: "Looks lovely, but once half of Westfield has given it a wee massage, it's more of a communal loaf than a bakery product."

It seems clear that many shoppers would rather their bread was protected from the general hustle and bustle of the supermarket, particularly when it's a product they'll be taking home and eating without washing or cooking first.

Would wrapping the loaf make all the difference?

It's not unusual for supermarkets to display certain bakery products loose, allowing customers to see the bread before buying it.

Open bakery displays are a familiar sight in shops, with crusty loaves, baguettes and pastries often presented without individual packaging.

For some shoppers, this is part of the appeal, seeing the freshly baked selection can make a supermarket bakery feel more like a traditional high street baker.

However, others aren't quite so keen, particularly when products are placed somewhere customers can easily reach them.

There's also the question of what happens when shoppers pick up an item, inspect it and then put it back.

Even if most people have perfectly good intentions, customers can't know who's handled the bread before it's made its way into their basket.

A simple wrapper, or some form of protective covering, could go a long way towards reassuring those who would otherwise walk straight past.

Of course, the comments don't necessarily mean everyone is put off.

Plenty of people will happily buy uncovered bakery products, and some commenters have claimed the bread has been a complete sell-out near them.

M&S has built a loyal following for its bakery products, with shoppers regularly taking to social media to share their latest finds and recommendations.

FOODbible has reached out to M&S for comment.