New partnership to help businesses reformulate products to tackle excessive calories

Leading food bodies have teamed up to support Scottish businesses to reformulate and help improve the nation’s health.

Food Standards Scotland (FSS) has agreed to be a Reformul8 partner with Food and Drink Federation Scotland’s (FDF Scotland) Reformulation for Health (RFH) programme.

As a Reformul8 partner FSS can work with industry to address some of the worrying findings identified by research carried out by the organisation into the sale of high calorie products such as cakes, pastries, biscuits and muffins provided when eating out or on the go.

The FSS research found the average calories within cakes, doughnuts, biscuits, sweet pastries, sweet scones and waffles, from out of home outlets such as coffee shops, bakeries and cafes, to be over 450, with the highest products reaching over 1600 calories.

When compared to the 2000 calorie recommended average intake for a female, these products make up a big proportion of a full day’s calories. 

A whopping 85% of the 663 products found contained more than 325 calories. 

The results are of extra concern to public health as these products are among the top ten food and drinks purchased when eating out or ordering in. They are usually not eaten as a meal but in addition to a meal and provide a high amount of fat and sugar.

In a bid to reduce this high calorie intake, the RFH programme, which is funded by Scottish Government, supports food and drink manufacturers to make changes which support improvements to the diet.

Evidence shows reformulation, for example by reducing portion size or calories, is one of the most effective ways industry can help improve dietary health in Scotland.  The RFH programme has already removed tonnes of salt and millions of calories from the Scottish diet.

One business working to reduce fat and calories is Cardowan Creameries, a Scottish company and Reformul8 partner who manufacture fats used by the baking industry.

They have developed a 65% reduced fat pastry and cake fat which are more affordable than the original higher fat products.

As a Reformul8 partner, FSS will promote reformulation in Scotland through their website and social media, and signpost food manufacturers and suppliers to the Reformulation for Health programme.  Support is free and available for small and medium sized business and both FDF members and non-members. 

Laura Wilson, Senior Public Health Nutrition Advisor with FSS said:  “Our findings show a really concerning number of products extremely high in calories, being bought very frequently when away from home and on the go. Our Reformul8 partnership pledge shows our support for industry to tackle this. 

“More than three quarters of the products we looked at have more than 325 calories. There is a huge scope for reducing both calories and portion size of many of these items which will help everyone have better options and choices when eating out and on the go.” 

Joanne Burns, Reformulation for Health Manager, FDF Scotland explained: “Reformulation can be a demanding and costly process for businesses to consider in these challenging times.  We strive to offer solutions to make reformulation more achievable. We would be delighted to support the Scottish bakery sector and advise them as they explore techniques to reduce the calorie content in some of their products.”

Ms Burns added that support is available to food manufacturers, pointing to the Reformul8 Challenge Fund which has already helped 45 organisations reformulate various products ranging from crisps to cakes and a Reformul8 toolkit which offers webinars and podcasts.

“The research from FSS highlights a great opportunity for the bakery sector to engage with the RFH programme and showcase how they can improve the nutritional profile of their products.  We look forward to supporting these exciting initiatives and driving positive change in Scotland,” added Ms Burns.