New Zealand Supermarkets Vow to Reformulate Products

18 Oct 2016 --- Supermarkets in New Zealand are vowing to cut the sugar, salt and fat in their private label products in a bid to combat child obesity. The announcement comes at a time where around 85,000 children in New Zealand between the ages two and 14 are thought to be obese.

Foodstuffs and Progressive Enterprises, the owners of New Zealand's three main supermarket chains, along with Moore Wilson's and Bin Inn have signed up to support product reformulation. 

The groups have also pledged to ensure "advertising of food to children is of a high ethical standard".

The pledge falls under the government's obesity action plan, which also targets New Zealand's health, education and transport sectors.

Foodstuffs, owner of major retail brands such as New World and Pak'nSave, states that it plans to reformulate its house brands, which include Pams, Budget and Value, in order to make them more nutritious.

“As the largest food retailer in New Zealand, we have a role to play in helping support the Government’s Childhood Obesity Plan and create healthier communities that will thrive in the long-term,” says FoodStuffs (NZ) Ltd, Managing Director, Steve Anderson.

“We believe that long-term change can be achieved if consumers are supported through a wide range of initiatives that help people make more informed choices, including greater access to healthier alternatives through reformulation,” says Anderson.

“We have committed to reformulate our private label products so that by the end of 2018 the sugar and sodium content will be reduced by 10% and saturated fat content continues to be reduced across the range.” 

Anderson adds that the levels of these nutrients in new private label products will be given careful consideration, and Foodstuffs will champion the reformulation cause with its suppliers.

“We have created a new Supplier Award designed specifically to recognize suppliers’ commitment to change in this area,” adds Anderson.

“By pledging to reduce Childhood Obesity and collaborating with the Government we hope to begin to see a reduction in the number of children who are overweight and obese.”