Mars Food is also the producer of the famous Uncle Ben’s rice and said it is planning to post with a few months on its website a list of the products it says should be consumed occasionally and what product can be consume daily.
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The “occasional” products are set to be reformulated in the near future in order to bring down the amount of unhealthy ingredients, in order to comply with Mars Foods’ Health company-wide Health and Wellbeing Ambition to “create and promote healthier food choices”.
The company behind some of Britain’s most popular food sauces is warning consumers that some of their products have so much salt, fat and sugar they should only be eaten once a week.
The drive is part of an effort to reduce levels of sugar, sodium and fat and improve public health.
Products that are particularly high in salt, sugar or fat, including Dolmio lasagne meal kits and lasagne sauces, will come with a label advising “occasional” consumption, meaning once a week.
She added that by 2021 it hoped to reduce salt content across its products by an average of 20% and added sugar in its sauces by 2018.
Dolmio Day only comes once a week..
The plan is part of the company’s larger initiative to encourage habits that are healthier.
The company said it is holding itself to a higher standard, based on guidance from leading health authorities such as the World Health Organization.
The five-year program will apply to Mars Foods’ main meal range, but exclude confectionary brands.
And Ben Reynolds, deputy co-ordinator of food and farming alliance Sustain, said companies were “trying to scramble to show they can be good and do the right thing”, before the government releases its childhood obesity strategy later this year.
The ingredients in a 320g jar of Dolmio Bolognese sauce include tomatoes (78%), tomato paste (11%), onions, lemon juice, cornflour, salt, basil (0.3%), sugar, garlic, parsley, herb and spices.
“The food industry has already made great strides in reducing sodium, but we have more work to do to help consumers reduce sodium intake”, added Dawson.
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As a result any products that require high levels of sugar, salt and fat to preserve an “authentic” taste will carry advice on how sparingly they should be eaten.
