Shoppers will notice the updated packaging in stores and online this month (Image: Getty )
Morrisons has revealed it is implementing a significant change that customers will observe in one aisle throughout stores and online. The ‘first-of-its-kind’ initiative affects numerous products and has received NHS endorsement.
Customers perusing Morrisons‘ own-brand bath and shower products will spot a subtle alteration to their packaging. The supermarket has partnered with the health service to include cancer guidance on various items, aiming to prompt shoppers to watch for lumps, swelling, skin changes and unexplained bruising.
The collection of nine new shower and bath products will feature messages including “be body aware” and “know the signs of cancer”. It is anticipated that the messages will motivate individuals to understand what is normal for their body and to contact their GP practice if something doesn’t feel right. You can discover more about cancer and its symptoms on the NHS website.
The products will begin appearing in approximately 450 Morrisons stores and online this month. Professor Peter Johnson, National Clinical Director for Cancer at NHS England, said: “If you notice a lump, swelling, skin change or anything else that doesn’t look or feel right while you’re in the bath or shower, please contact your GP practice.
“This campaign is about turning an everyday routine into a simple health check reminder – helping people know their bodies better and spot possible signs of cancer earlier. In most cases it won’t be cancer, but if it is, finding it early can make all the difference.”
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Morrisons has become the first supermarket to introduce cancer awareness messaging on bath and shower products as part of an NHS initiative to help more people identify potential symptoms sooner and seek medical checks. The new messaging will feature across Morrisons’ own-brand range, including Muscle Soothe Sea Minerals, Sage Extracts Bath Soak, Tingly Mint Shower Gel, and Lavender and Water Lily Herbal Bath.
Symptoms that may be noticed while washing include a lump or swelling anywhere on the body, changes to the skin, and unexplained pain, aches or bruising. Further symptoms to be mindful of include persistent heartburn, indigestion or bloating, changes in bowel or bladder habits, bleeding from your bottom, in your stools, in your wee, after the menopause or after sex.
Additional warning signs include excessive night sweats, feeling more fatigued than normal, or a croaky voice, hoarseness, or a cough that does not improve or worsens over time. The NHS advises that if something in your body doesn’t feel right, and you are worried it could be cancer, contact your GP practice.
The change is part of a supermarket‑first initiative aimed at encouraging shoppers to be body aware (Image: Ben Gregory-Ring/PA Media Assignments)
Public Health Minister Sharon Hodgson said: “Spotting cancer early can save lives, and this partnership is a simple but powerful way to encourage people to be more aware of their bodies. By placing these reminders on everyday products used by millions of people, the NHS and Morrisons are helping to make potentially life-saving advice part of people’s daily routines.
“This is a great example of getting business and the NHS working hand in hand to build a healthy Britain where everyone lives well for longer. If you notice something unusual or that doesn’t feel right, please contact your GP practice.”
David Scott, Corporate Affairs Director at Morrisons, said: “We are proud to be partnering with the NHS again to raise awareness of the symptoms of cancer through the new body awareness messages on our own brand bath and shower products. The messaging highlights the importance of spotting the symptoms early and encouraging people to reach out to their GP if something does not feel right, both of which can lead to earlier treatment and ultimately save lives.
Several bath and shower products will feature NHS cancer awareness messaging on the packaging (Image: Ben Gregory-Ring/PA Media Assignments)
“It is a vital message, and we believe in the importance of helping the NHS reach as many customers as possible to encourage them to get checked and be body aware.”
The collaboration builds upon the groundbreaking inaugural campaign launched in 2023. At that time, Morrisons joined forces with the NHS to display breast and testicular cancer guidance on Nutmeg-branded underwear, prompting customers to contact their GP practice should they identify potential warning signs.
As well as supermarkets, Morrisons also has 1,700 Morrisons Daily convenience stores – around 700 of which are franchise stores – and an online delivery service where customers can order their groceries from their own home and have them delivered by the supermarket or one of its partners, including Amazon, Deliveroo and Just Eat.