Mercadona, a well-known supermarket chain in Valencia, has decided to withdraw one of its most popular items, the pre-cooked, wrapped fried eggs, from all its stores. This decision follows mixed reactions from consumers; while many appreciated the convenience, others criticized the excessive use of plastic packaging.

Previously sold in packs of two for as little as 1.80 euros, these pre-cooked fried eggs were a hit among those with busy lifestyles who had little time to cook. However, the environmental impact of the packaging raised significant concerns, leading to Mercadona's decision to remove the product. Despite this move, millions of these eggs continue to be sold annually by other companies throughout Spain.

The concept for Mercadona's packaged, ready-cooked fried eggs was developed by Javier Yzuel, the founder of Innovation Foods 360. Yzuel explains, "Times have changed at an incredible speed. Ten or 15 years ago I cooked because I had the time to do so. Now I rarely have the opportunity to do so," in an interview with Portuguese media outlet NiT.

Mercadona's fried eggs were part of a growing market for quick-fix, pre-cooked dishes, similar to the popular Spanish potato omelette (tortilla), which is also available at Mercadona (with or without onion). However, the criticism focused on the amount of plastic used in the egg packaging, prompting the supermarket chain to reconsider its offering. Yzuel's goal is "for the eggs to be sold in packaging made from recyclable fibrous material, but approval processes in Europe are slow."

The Idea

Yzuel conceived the idea of a packaged fried egg while studying hotel management in 1998. Initially, his proposal did not receive the support he had hoped for. However, after two decades of research, he perfected the product and successfully pitched it to Mercadona. In 2014, he registered the patent and began searching for buyers.

"The secret is how to reach a temperature that guarantees food safety and then stop the process. At 65 degrees, the egg coagulates. I created a system that makes it possible to control the internal temperature of the food and then reduce it abruptly," he explains. According to Yzuel, texture is crucial because "it shows the degree of temperature control and the ability to obtain liquid yolks and the whites just cooked without overcooking the egg."

To achieve a creamy yolk and a crispy edge, consumers can heat the egg in the microwave for just 30 seconds. This innovation attracted interest not only from Mercadona but also from fast food restaurants. Currently, Innovation Foods 360, based in Teruel, produces over 40,000 packaged fried eggs daily.

While the withdrawal of Mercadona's pre-cooked fried eggs marks a significant step in addressing plastic waste concerns, it also highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing convenience with sustainability. As Yzuel continues to push for recyclable packaging, the hope is that more environmentally friendly options will soon become viable, meeting both consumer demands and environmental standards.