There’s a reason we have them, and there’s a reason people buy them. I may be able to meet my nutritional needs on some proverbial Soylent green, but food also has social and psychological importance to humans too.

But here in Norway most supermarkets carry only one or two brands of yoghurt and I never feel any lack even though I am familiar with the ranges to be found in supermarkets in the UK.

So which is the tail and which the dog?

Stockholm's syndrome but for Oslo?

I agree packaging should be wayyyy more standardised (and more ecological). But that doesn't mean there shouldn't be only 2 types of yogurt.

FWIW I have a feeling when you buy food manufacturing and transport is the smallest parts of cost. Packaging and shelving are major ones. Kinda why you don't see large packaging, especially in Europe. Why does all toothpaste runs out in a month? I don't change my favourite brand for years..?