KIT KAT, ROWNTREE’s and AERO manufacturer, Nestlé Confectionery UK on March 2 became the first major confectioner to announce the removal of artificial colours, flavours and preservatives from its entire confectionery range.
Nestlé CRUNCH chocolate bar is the last of the 79 products to become ‘no arts’, marking the culmination of extensive research and product development that started in 2005 and which has seen more than 80 ingredients being replaced with alternatives.
Concentrates of fruit, vegetables and edible plants such as carrot, hibiscus, radish safflower and lemon are a few examples of ingredients used to impart their characteristic colours and these have been used in some of Britain’s favourite treats such as SMARTIES.
David Rennie, Managing Director, Nestlé Confectionery UK, said, “This is a significant milestone. Nestlé is proud to be the only major confectionery company in the UK to announce it is 100% free of artificial preservatives, flavours or colours across the entire portfolio.”
“To achieve this, Nestlé Confectionery and our suppliers have worked very hard ensuring we don’t compromise and we maintain the same quality and taste of all our brands.”
The changes were made in response to consumers demanding fewer artificial ingredients in their foods and a commitment by Nestlé Confectionery to find alternatives to artificial colours, flavours and preservatives. Consumer research revealed three quarters (74%)* of UK consumers now look for natural products which includes the need to be free from artificial colours, flavours and preservatives when buying confectionery.
Marcelo Melchior, Head of the Global Confectionery Strategic Business Unit, Nestlé SA, said, “While pleasure will always be our priority for confectionery, a responsible approach towards our portfolio will help us to be recognized as offering the confectionery brands consumers feel good about purchasing.”
The removal of artificial colours, flavours and preservatives builds on the ongoing work Nestlé Confectionery UK has undertaken in recent years. This includes:
- In 2006, Nestlé Confectionery UK was the first confectioner to place calorie information on front of pack across its portfolio.
- In 2009, Nestlé Confectionery UK re-launched its chocolate biscuit bar range. BLUE RIBAND, BREAKAWAY, TOFFEE CRISP and DRIFTER contain 99 calories with no impact on taste. KIT KAT 2 Finger is 107 calories.
Notes:
Nestlé Confectionery UK Journey to Remove Artificial Colours, Flavours and Preservatives:
- 2005 – Nestlé begins work on achieving “No Arts” in SMARTIES and MILKY BAR.
- 2006 – SMARTIES and MILKY BAR become the first Nestlé brands to remove artificial ingredients. SMARTIES now have ingredients like red cabbage, lemon, hibiscus and radish to thank for their bright colours, while MILKY BAR is made from natural ingredients.
- 2009 – KIT KAT, POLO and YORKIE join the “No Arts” family. KIT KAT sources its vanilla from Madagascar, while POLO contains only natural mint oils.
- 2010 – ROWNTREE’S, AFTER EIGHT, DAIRY BOX, BLACK MAGIC, ROLO, MUNCHIES and AERO certified free from artificial colours, flavours and preservatives.
- 2011 – QUALITY STREET goes “No Arts” when natural strawberry and orange flavours are found. In addition: TOFFEE CRISP, DRIFTER, BREAK AWAY, WALNUT WHIP, BLUE RIBAND, LION BAR and CARAMAC join the Nestlé “No Arts” family.
- 2012 –CRUNCH chocolate bars announced as final product to become No Arts when natural vanilla flavouring is included in its ingredients.
* Research carried out by Health Focus International, from their 2008 Health Survey
Source: Nestlé Confectionery UK.
