Iconic Biscuits Reformulated for Better Nutrition

Several iconic British biscuits, including McVitie's Jaffa Cakes and Digestives, are on track for recipe modifications to enhance their nutritional profile. Owner Pladis is revising existing formulations to lower levels of sugar, salt, and saturated fat.

The company has set an ambitious target to double the sales volume of products offering a "better nutritional balance" by the year 2030. Currently, about 10% of their sales volume meets this new criteria, and new product introductions are also part of this strategy.

Pladis emphasizes that great taste will remain paramount, but consumers are increasingly seeking healthier choices that align with their lifestyles. The company's global nutrition framework assesses recipes based on nutrients to consume more of, such as fiber and protein, and those to reduce.

Previously, in 2020, McVitie's had already adjusted recipes for several popular biscuits to decrease sugar and salt content. This past effort included Original Digestives, Rich Tea, Chocolate Digestives, Hobnobs, and others, removing approximately 676 tonnes of sugar from UK recipes.