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Greggs joins trend for healthy eating with sourdough pasties Greggs joins trend for healthy eating with sourdough pasties
(about 17 hours later)
It is the UK’s largest bakery chain, renowned for its sausage rolls and steak bakes and its north-east England roots as well as for famously putting the boot into George Osborne’s ill-fated pasty tax. But the lovers of puff pastry among the six million customers who flock to its 1,700 UK outlets are in for a shock this week.It is the UK’s largest bakery chain, renowned for its sausage rolls and steak bakes and its north-east England roots as well as for famously putting the boot into George Osborne’s ill-fated pasty tax. But the lovers of puff pastry among the six million customers who flock to its 1,700 UK outlets are in for a shock this week.
Greggs is introducing “healthy” pasties, which come in at under 300 calories and contain up to a third less fat and saturated fat (9g rather than 25g). The two new products, with chicken katsu or Bombay potato fillings, use a crunchier sourdough-based shortcrust pastry (with a crumb topping) rather than traditional puff pastry laden with butter. That means they score green and amber – rather than unhealthy red – on the Food Standards Agency’s “traffic light” system. Greggs is introducing “healthy” pasties, which come in at under 300 calories and contain up to two-thirds less fat and saturated fat (9g rather than 25g). The two new products, with chicken katsu or Bombay potato fillings, use a crunchier sourdough-based shortcrust pastry (with a crumb topping) rather than traditional puff pastry laden with butter. That means they score green and amber – rather than unhealthy red – on the Food Standards Agency’s “traffic light” system.
Roger Whiteside, the group’s chief executive officer, said: “Greggs is well-loved for its traditional pasties and sausage rolls, but we recognise that our customers are increasingly looking for lower calorie and lower fat options.”Roger Whiteside, the group’s chief executive officer, said: “Greggs is well-loved for its traditional pasties and sausage rolls, but we recognise that our customers are increasingly looking for lower calorie and lower fat options.”
Greggs’ move is part of a wider push by brands to be seen to be offering healthier options. Amid concerns about high obesity rates in the UK – researchers recently predicted that by 2025 Britain will have the highest obesity levels among both men and women in Europe, at 38% – food and retail giants have been reformulating their products and encouraging consumers to consider healthier choices.Greggs’ move is part of a wider push by brands to be seen to be offering healthier options. Amid concerns about high obesity rates in the UK – researchers recently predicted that by 2025 Britain will have the highest obesity levels among both men and women in Europe, at 38% – food and retail giants have been reformulating their products and encouraging consumers to consider healthier choices.
Pizza Express last week linked up with Iceland to debut its new Artisana range of frozen pizzas, including five that are made from a sourdough base instead of its conventional bread version. Earlier this year Italian eaterie Bella Italia became one of the first chains to introduce spiralised vegetables to its menus and McDonald’s introduced a new salad mix.Pizza Express last week linked up with Iceland to debut its new Artisana range of frozen pizzas, including five that are made from a sourdough base instead of its conventional bread version. Earlier this year Italian eaterie Bella Italia became one of the first chains to introduce spiralised vegetables to its menus and McDonald’s introduced a new salad mix.
Malcolm Clark, coordinator of the Children’s Food Campaign, which is part of the Obesity Health Alliance, said the move by Greggs was a step in the right direction. “Providing healthy options is a good step, but making healthier food the standard promoted item and standard customer choice would be much better.Malcolm Clark, coordinator of the Children’s Food Campaign, which is part of the Obesity Health Alliance, said the move by Greggs was a step in the right direction. “Providing healthy options is a good step, but making healthier food the standard promoted item and standard customer choice would be much better.
“Hungry customers’ good intentions may still often crumble at the sight of cheaper, less healthy savoury snacks and the rows of doughnuts and other iced goodies tempting them.”“Hungry customers’ good intentions may still often crumble at the sight of cheaper, less healthy savoury snacks and the rows of doughnuts and other iced goodies tempting them.”
Greggs began to bring in healthier options earlier this year – a strategy that appears to be paying off as its “balanced choice” products now account for 10% of sales.Greggs began to bring in healthier options earlier this year – a strategy that appears to be paying off as its “balanced choice” products now account for 10% of sales.
But the latest move may incur the wrath of diehard fans of its steak bakes and sausage rolls who have set up a Facebook group where its 6,000 members post reviews of their culinary experiences.But the latest move may incur the wrath of diehard fans of its steak bakes and sausage rolls who have set up a Facebook group where its 6,000 members post reviews of their culinary experiences.