Lidl to cut sugar, salt content of own brands by 20%
Discount supermarket chain Lidl Hungary has announced that it will decrease the salt and sugar content of its own-brand products by 20% on average by 2025, while also signing a cooperation agreement with the Hungarian Dietetic Association (MDOSZ).
Lidlʼs purchasing manager Zoltán Nepp at the signing ceremony with MDOSZ President Jolán Kubányi.
Lidl says that it has been focusing on promoting a healthy and balanced diet for years, according to a press release sent to the Budapest Business Journal. In reducing sugar content, the chain primarily focuses on items popular with children, while salt reductions are focused mainly on regularly consumed food items making up the bulk of daily salt intake, all while retaining the original taste.
Already, the added sugar content of the department storeʼs own-brand breakfast flakes has decreased by 24% since 2015, while the added salt content of salami pizza has decreased by 29% since 2016.
Lidl Hungary has used 15% less salt in the past year to produce 1 kg of semi-brown bread. The goal is to reduce the salt content of the product by the end of 2019 from the current 1.8g/100g to a minimum 1.3g/100g. The press release says the decision is also important because the latest domestic surveys reveal that white and semi-brown bread contribute to the salt intake of the Hungarian adult population.
“The salt consumption of the domestic adult population significantly exceeds the maximum of five grams per day, equaling roughly one teaspoon, written in the recommendations. Hungarian men take up more than three times that amount, and Hungarian women more than twice as much. Lidlʼs commitment is outstanding, we are glad to lend support to their efforts,” said MDOSZ President Jolán Kubányi.
“Our company is committed to actively promoting good nutrition, and we strive to create the healthiest nutrient compositions among our own-brand products without affecting the taste,” said Judit Tőzsér, Lidl Hungaryʼs communications manager. “As a responsible company, it is important for us to protect our customers and increase their nutrition-related health awareness,” she added.
With MDOSZ, Lidl wants to help its customers to eat healthily via awareness-raising activities, thematic subpages on its website, other informative materials, and special recipes.
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