An Ely grandmother is fuming that apples are not included in Sainsbury's autumn hot meal menu for children and instead now cost 55 pence each - but the supermarket chain says it "continues to offer nutritionally balanced options at great value".

Mrs Owen and her granddaughter go to the supermarket every Monday and says that, up until this week, a piece of fruit has always been included in the price. 

However, when they visited on Monday, November 4, that had changed.

"I was just so gobsmacked to be charged that amount for an apple!" she said. 

"I couldn't believe it, especially as they have taken away the nutritional part of the meal, and not replaced it with anything." 

She added that other customers felt similarly shocked, with many putting their apples back after learning that they were not included in the price.

A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “We’ve refreshed our café menu for autumn so that we continue to offer nutritionally balanced options at great value.

"A variety of vegetables are part of the hot lunch and fruit is included in the lunch bag deal.

"Customer feedback is really important to us and our colleagues are sharing any comments they receive with the teams responsible.”

Mrs Owen added that she spoke to a member of staff at the restaurant who told her she "could take my own bag of apples in and give my granddaughter an apple".

She also joked 'could they not take the chips away and replace them with mash potato?'

Mrs Owen said she then went back into the store the following day to complain and was given her 55 pence back.

"The manageress was very apologetic but said that fruit has been taken off the menu even though the board was still up there."

Mrs Owen added that she is now going to contact her local MP. 

"It's just not right, and I really think this needs to be highlighted." 

(Image: Supplied)