pladis targets doubling sales of healthier snacks by 2030 across McVitie’s, GODIVA and Ülker portfolio

Global snacking company pladis has pledged to double the sales volume of products with a better nutritional balance by 2030, as it steps up efforts to expand healthier options across brands including McVitie’s, GODIVA and Ülker.

• pladis committed to doubling the sales volume of products with a better nutritional balance by 2030, using 2023 as its baseline.
• The company introduced a global nutrition framework covering reformulation, product development and portfolio management across all brands.
• Reformulation efforts have already removed hundreds of tonnes of sugar and fat from products in the UK, the Netherlands and Türkiye.

The target applies to products containing lower levels of sugar, salt and saturated fat while providing higher levels of nutrients such as fiber and protein. Today, these products account for around 10% of the company's global sales volume.

pladis said it plans to achieve the goal through a combination of reformulating existing products without compromising taste, introducing new products and expanding successful ranges into additional markets.

To support the initiative, the company has developed a global nutrition framework that will guide product development, reformulation and marketing across its portfolio.

Created by the company's scientists, the framework draws on established nutrition systems including France's Nutri-Score, Australia's Health Star Rating and the UK's Nutrient Profile Model (HFSS).

Rather than focusing solely on reducing nutrients such as sugar, salt and saturated fat, the framework also considers nutrients consumers are encouraged to consume more of, including fiber and protein.

Dr Jennifer Moss, Chief R&D Officer at pladis, said: "People don't buy biscuits and chocolate because they're looking for a lecture on nutrition – they buy them because they enjoy them. Great taste will always come first.

"What is changing is that consumers increasingly want more choice. They want products that fit their lifestyles and wellbeing goals, but they still expect the same great taste.

"We believe the brands that succeed in the future will be the ones that can deliver both. That's why we're committed to giving consumers more options while continuing to provide the enjoyment that has always been at the heart of our brands."

The announcement builds on reformulation work already carried out across the company's portfolio.

In the UK, pladis has removed 676 tons of sugar from its recipes, equivalent to around 169 million teaspoons. In the Netherlands, it has reformulated its Sultana fruit biscuits by reducing sugar and salt while increasing fiber content.

The company also said that reformulation efforts over the past decade have enabled its Ülker brand to remove 549 tons of fat from its products alongside reductions in sugar and salt.

pladis employs around 16,000 people and sells its products in more than 110 countries.

The nutrition commitment forms part of Happy People, Happy Planet, the company's newly launched global sustainability strategy. All targets are based on a 2023 baseline.

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