Pladis has set a 2030 target to double the volume of the products it sells with lower levels of sugar, salt and saturated fat, and higher levels of nutrients such as fibre and protein. Today, products that meet these criteria account for around 10% of Pladis’ sales volume.
The snacking manufacturer says it will achieve this pledge through the reformulation of existing recipes, new product development, and the expansion of successful, already compliant ranges. To date, the company has removed 676 tonnes of sugar from recipes in the UK – the equivalent of around 169 million teaspoons.
The move follows increased demand for healthy food and drink, with Lumina Intelligence figures showing an uptick in people (+2.8pp) describing themselves as ‘very health led’ over the last five years.
The rise of GLP-1 have helped to drive this trend, prompting increased uptake in so-called healthy ‘snackification’, with consumers replacing traditional meals with smaller, frequent nutrient-dense mini-meals.
Still, as Dr Jennifer Moss, chief R&D officer at Pladis highlighted, taste will always come top.
“People don’t buy biscuits and chocolate because they’re looking for a lecture on nutrition – they buy them because they enjoy them. Great taste will always come first,” she said.
“What is changing is that consumers increasingly want more choice. They want products that fit their lifestyles and wellbeing goals, but they still expect the same great taste.
“We believe the brands that succeed in the future will be the ones that can deliver both. That’s why we’re committed to giving consumers more options while continuing to provide the enjoyment that has always been at the heart of our brands.”
This is a concept, Suzanne Allers from Untapped Innovation, has also recently emphasised.
“As more brands reformulate to meet non-HFSS targets, we’re likely to see even greater emphasis on flavour, texture and the overall eating experience, making healthier options feel less like a compromise and more like a positive choice,” she told Food Manufacture.
Pladis creates new nutrition framework
To support its 2030 target, Pladis has created a new global nutrition framework that will guide how products are developed, reformulated and marketed across its portfolio.
Built by the company’s scientists, the framework draws on internationally recognised nutrition systems, including France’s Nutri-Score, Australia’s Health Star Rating, and the UK’s Nutrient Profile Model (HFSS).
The framework is applied across all Pladis products and is designed to take a balanced view of nutrition. It assesses both nutrients consumers are encouraged to have more of, such as fibre and protein, and nutrients many are looking to reduce, including salt, sugar and saturated fat.
The ambition will see Pladis increasing its sales volume of ‘nutritionally balanced’ products from 10% to 20% by 2030; and forms part of its ‘Happy People, Happy Planet’ global sustainability strategy.
