Member snapshots
Members of the Food and Drink
Federation have long been 'stepping up to the plate'
when it comes to the many different ways in which
they have taken bold action in response to growing
societal concerns about complex public health issues.
AB World Foods
Over the past 18 months, AB World Foods in the UK has
undertaken an extensive programme to improve the recipes
of its cooking sauces in its leading Patak's and Blue Dragon
ranges using the projected UK 2012 salt targets.
A new range of 16 curry paste products was launched in September 2009 with
between 35% and 64% less salt than in the standard range and between 32% and
53% less
fat. Other sauce products were reformulated and re-launched with up to 42% less
salt and up to 26% less fat. Salt levels in the Blue Dragon range of Chinese
cooking products were also reduced by between 33% and 83% and all artificial
colourings, flavourings and preservatives were removed.
Paul Wildman, Supply Chain Director:
“We have come a long way in the past 10 years; gradually reducing salt and
fat
levels, particularly in our Indian products. The challenge is always to ensure
that our cooking sauces and curry pastes continue to taste great at the same
time
as optimising their nutritional composition.”
Kingsmill
At Kingsmill we believe it is important to help consumers to make healthier
choices. We support nutrition labelling that makes it clear how our products
contribute to a balanced diet and we recognise that a high salt diet is
associated with
an increased risk of high blood pressure. We have been reducing salt levels
since 2004 and we achieved the Food Standards Agency 2010 salt targets by the
end of
2009. We will continue to reformulate where technically feasible and acceptable
by consumers.
In addition we have several products aimed at making lifeeasier for families:
Kingsmill 50/50 bread is a white bread with the goodness of whole grain and we
have launched The Secretly Seeded One®, a soft white loaf with finely milled
seeds
and grains.
Jon Wilson Marketing Director, Kingsmill:
“Our priority is to continue to make great tasting, qualityproducts. Salt is
fundamental to bread making but we haveworked hard to reduce levels to meet the
2010 targets
Scottish members: Nairn's
Oatcakes are quintessentially Scottish and with well over 100
years' experience behind it, Nairn's knows more than a thing
or two about the making of this iconic Scottish food product.
Nairn's is committed to reformulation to reduce salt and fat
content, whilst maintaining customer expectations for delicious
tasting products. Nairn's is continually working to improve the
nutritional profile of its products; in 2010 it introduced a range
of oat based gluten free cereals that provide coeliacs with the
same taste and choice as other consumers.
Dedicated to corporate social responsibility, its policy
encourages staff to participate in the Nairn's School
Challenge, an initiative allowing young people the opportunity
to experience a 'taste of life in the workplace'.
In addition, its Healthy Working Lives committee focuses on
improving the health and wellbeing of employees by providing
free fruit, smoking cessation and free staff health checks
Mark Laing, Managing Director:
“Our customers are becoming increasingly sophisticatedin their knowledge of
what
constitutes a healthy and
balanced diet. At Nairn's our highest priority is to meet their
expectations with delicious tasting products.”
Scottish members: Scobie & Junor
Scobie & Junor has been blending herbs and spices for food
processors since 1922, making it amongst the most experienced
manufacturers in the Country. The company's experienced team
of development technologists have been fully focused in working
with its clients to achieve the FSA 2012 salt reduction targets.
In 2010 Scobie & Junor successfully launched an active programme
of reducing sodium levels in seasonings, aiming to achieve the
FSA 2012 Sodium Reduction Guidelines. With the help of Scobie
& Junor's Sodium Reduction campaign, approximately 85% of
its clients are now conforming to the FSA 2012 sodium targets.
Scobie & Junor is now actively seeking new clients who can benefit from its
expertise in meeting these guidelines and finding new and innovative ways to
create
healthier products without compromising flavour.
Gordon Wicklow, Director:
“Scobie & Junor is proud to assist our clients in providing consumers
with
a
multi-dimensional product which combines fullness of flavour with a healthy
product. We are more aware than ever that consumers now look at the back of the
pack
as much as the front and as such we must maintain our high standards in
ensuring
these products meet the FSA guidelines.”
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