The UK’s largest supermarket has yet to reach agreement with Heinz over buying terms for its baked beans, ketchups and condiments, and is now facing a similar impasse with Mars Petcare over petcare products like Whiskas and Pedigree. 

The second producer spat in weeks highlights how rampant inflation is straining relations between retailers and suppliers. 

Mars Petcare, which produces brands such as Whiskas and Dreamies for cats and Pedigree and Caser for dogs, has paused supply to Tesco until agreement can be reached on price, causing gaps on shelves and availability issues online.