STORY: Bidfood slashes sugar

Foodservice provider Bidfood has cut sugar by an average of 25% from its cakes and 20% from its pie fillings.

The Everyday Favourites Black Forest Gateau, one of the company’s most popular items, has been reformulated to reduce sugar by as much as 30%, which was achieved by increasing the fruit content and refreshing the flavour profile, according to the company.

It added it had been working hard to continue its commitment to reducing sugar, following a 23% sugar reduction in its ice cream range in 2018.

The process will help Bidfood meet (or exceed) the Public Health England target of 20% sugar reduction by 2020.

 “Within the bakery and desserts category, consumers generally won’t choose a low-sugar option. It is therefore important to reformulate the current offering to improve the nutritional value without impacting the taste,” said Laura Manning, bakery and desserts category manager, Bidfood.

“At Bidfood, any product alterations are rigorously tested in order to ensure taste and texture aren’t negatively impacted. The feedback we have had so far has been overwhelmingly positive, suggesting that the intended flavours actually come out stronger when the sugar is reduced.”

Bidfood will also be reformulating its cookie dough pucks, brownies, cheesecakes and tarts, which will begin the reformulation process from this summer.