MARS FOOD, THE company behind well-known brands Dolmio and Uncle Ben’s, has warned that some of its products should not be consumed more than once a week.
The company is set to release a list of ‘occasional’ products, foods that should not be eaten too often from a health point of view.
The move is part of a five-year initiative towards a more ‘healthy’ image on the part of the company.
The BBC reports that just 5% of the company’s products will be deemed as being ‘occasional’, while the food giant’s confectionery output will remain unaffected.
Products affected include the Dolmio range of pasta sauces, the Uncle Ben’s set of curry sauces, and some products from the Masterfoods range.
These products are higher in salt, sugar or fat in order to remain true to their ‘authentic’ recipe the company says, and are not intended to be eaten daily.
Fiona Dawson, the global president of Mars Food, Drinks and Multisales, says it wants to help “consumers understand the difference between ‘everyday’ and ‘occasional’ products within a balanced diet.”
The company says it’s helping consumers to shift taste preferences to lower sodium foods and supporting efforts by Britain’s Department of Health and the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.
The UK’s National Obesity Forum described the move to the BBC as “hugely unusual” but “very imaginative”.
Britain appears to be following a ‘get tough’ tax policy with the makers of unhealthy foodstuffs.
Last month, the UK’s finance minister George Osborne announced the introduction of a sugar tax on the soft drinks industry, focusing on drinks displaying ‘excessive’ sugar levels.
Additional reporting AP
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