Daily Express

Will you love it or hate it? Marmite has cut back salt

- By Mark Reynolds

LOVE it or hate it, at least it is going to be better for you.

The makers of Marmite yesterday unveiled a new reduced salt version of the famous spread.

Jars of the healthier brand went on sale in Waitrose and Asda and will be more widely available over the coming months.

As it is rolled out nationwide, the new Reduced Salt Marmite will be sold in the same iconic jar, but will also feature light blue packaging, associated with low-salt products, “to create optimum stand-out on shelf”.

Shannon Lennon-Smith, Marmite brand manager at consumer giant Unilever, said: “Consumer tastes and a desire for wider choice, including lower-salt variants, are constantly evolving.

Loyal

“Marmite has a huge and very loyal fan base and we want to ensure we are listening to their needs and responding accordingl­y.

“By expanding our range with a new reduced salt variant, we hope to extend Marmite’s appeal even further so it can be enjoyed by even more people.”

While promising not to compromise on the product’s famously distinctiv­e “love it or hate it” zingy flavour, brand bosses say the new version has slashed the salt by more than 25 per cent.

This means a typical serving of 8g will typically see a fall in salt content In the name of research... Elly tucks in from the original Marmite from 0.86g to around 0.49g.

The new version is specially designed to appeal to the growing number of consumers seeking a low-sodium diet.

Health experts have long warned that too much salt in our diets can lead to high blood pressure and potentiall­y fatal ailments. THE new Marmite Reduced Salt Yeast Extract Spread still retains the same distinctiv­e and sharp taste as the original.

It is hard to notice much difference as it still has a salty and yeasty kick – exactly the same as the regular dark brown sticky stuff which continues to divide opinion. But I’m on the “love it” team.

Although there’s 25 per cent less salt, which is better for your blood pressure and reduces the risk of strokes and heart attacks, there’s no real difference on your taste buds – not that I can tell anyway.

The texture was the same – a The British Heart Foundation warns that having high blood pressure increases the risk of developing coronary disease. A spokesman said: “Adults should eat less than 6g of salt each day – that’s about one teaspoon. This includes the salt that’s contained within ready-made foods like bread, as well as the salt you add during cooking and at the table. Children should eat less salt than adults, according to their age.”

The BHF says one of the best ways to work out how much salt we are eating is to check the food label or nutritiona­l informatio­n on the packaging of any food you are buying or eating.

“If you’re eating pre-prepared food, like a soup, pizza or ready-meal, take a look at the ‘amount per serving’ to see how much salt is in your whole meal,” the spokesman said.

 ??  ?? The healthier option comes in a new blue jar
The healthier option comes in a new blue jar
 ??  ?? Marmite’s classic spread
Marmite’s classic spread
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