Cauldron Foods
Stop press: Cauldron removes hydrogenated vegetable oil from its sausages following (but not necessarily the result of) representations from tfX. Statement from Cauldron dated 27 January 2005.
Thank you for your letter regarding Cauldron's use of hydrogenated fat in our product range.It is correct to say that we did use hydrogenated fat in our sausage range. The historical reason for using this ingredient was to maintain the succulence in the product. This particular ingredient burns at a much higher temperature, which means the sausage retains this moisture during the cooking process. Cauldron is very proud of the way their products perform upon tasting, and this allowed us to produce superior quality sausages.
Then recent independent research, in the past 12 months, highlighted the dangers of using such an ingredient. We have therefore been seeking an alternative ever since. Cauldron recognises that it needs to provide healthy vegetarian alternatives, but it also needs to produce a product, which satisfies the high standards our customers have come to expect.
We are glad to say, that we have now managed to source an alternative and this was launched into the market place in December. Therefore our entire sausage range now only uses non-hydrogenated vegetable fat.
I hope this allays any fears you may have had and will allow you to enjoy the Cauldron range once again.
We would only add that this statement appears only to cover Cauldron's sausages. Continue to check for HVO on other products.
Background
Cauldron is a well-known maker of vegetarian things that are normally made from meat - such as sausages, burgers and patés, as well as other savoury bakes and snacks. As they put it on their website,
"We are the company behind the innovative Cauldron brand of vegetarian and organic convenience foods sold in supermarkets, independent grocers and health food stores throughout the UK."
And
"Cauldron is a firm believer that, ‘it is what you put in that counts'."
The company also states on its packaging that
"Wherever we can, we choose simply-prepared, natural ingredients, because a meal is only as good as what we put into it ... " (from "Lincolnshire veggie sausages" packaging, November 2004).
However this does not [at time of writing, November 2004] seem to prevent them from using hydrogenated vegetable oil where it suits them, as in these very same Lincolnshire sausages.
Other products may or may not contain HVO, apparently more or less at random - check packaging or website.
We wrote to them as follows (11 November 2004):
Dear Cauldron,Noting your preference for "simply-prepared, natural ingredients, because a meal is only as good as what we put into it" (product packaging, Lincolnshire veggie sausages) I am surprised to discover that this product contains hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) as its third greatest ingredient.
For your information the trans fats found in HVO are a major cause of cardiovascular disease and mortality, and are implicated in type 2 diabetes, various cancers including breast cancer, immune system suppression, and inhibit the uptake of essential fatty acids. In short, they are seriously bad news and have no place in a health food.
I also note that you choose - as you are legally entitled to - to provide nutrition information which states total fat and saturated fat content, but avoids mention of trans fat which is far worse than saturated fat. This is to be less than completely honest with your customers, especially when taken with your promise of natural ingredients and the healthy, wholesome image that Cauldron seeks to project.
Please could you explain your thinking / policy on HVO and trans fats.
We never received any response. However another customer did (see above). It reveals that they have now removed hydrogenated oils from their sausages.
Contact
Website: www.cauldronfoods.co.uk.
Email: enquiries@cauldronfoods.com.
Phone: 01275 818448.
Fax: 01275 818353.
Address: Cauldron Foods Ltd, Units 1 & 2, Old Mill Road, Portishead Business Park, Portishead, Bristol, BS20 7BF.
