Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Digelesstives
Mcvitie’s reduces the sugar in nine of its best-selling biscuits ‘without cutting taste’
Sugar per 100g
Bosses say this has not harmed the taste – including when the biccies are dunked in a cuppa – and the move could remove 785 tons of sugar from diets per year.
There are new recipes for Digestives, Rich Tea, Chocolate Digestives (milk and dark) and Hobnobs. Chocolate Hobnobs (milk and dark), Ginger Nuts and Caramel Digestives also have less sugar.
David Murray, of Mcvitie’s owner Pladis, said: “For years, we have been working on reducing sugar in the nation’s favourite biscuits.
“Our fundamental philosophy is that we will absolutely not compromise on taste or the quality of ingredients.”
Bosses carried out extensive tests with hundreds of people before signing off on the reduced sugar versions.
The first reformulated biccy to hit the shelves was original Digestives with 9% less sugar and 5% less salt.
HEALTHIER
They now contain 15.1g of sugar per 100g, down from 16.6g. Original Hobnobs are 10.2% less at 22.9g and Rich Tea have been cut 8.4% to 18.5g.
Ginger Nuts are 6.2% less at 28.9g, Dark Chocolate Digestives are 3.6% down at 26.6g and Milk Chocolate Digestives are 3.4% less at 28.5g.
Dr Alison Tedstone, of Public Health England, said: “We’re pleased Mcvitie’s is the latest household name to commit to offering healthier products. This announcement shows reducing sugar in biscuits is possible.
“We look forward to further reductions in future.”
In 2016, PHE urged firms to cut the average sugar content of treats such as cakes, chocolate, breakfast cereals, yogurt and biscuits by 20% this year.
The biccies target was 26.2g per 100g. The introduction of a sugar tax on soft drinks in 2018 has led to the sugar content in fizzy drinks dropping by an average of 28.8%.
Last year Cadbury launched a new version of its Dairy Milk bar with 30% less sugar and Kellogg’s has reduced sugar in its kids’ cereals.