Sainsbury

Stop Press, 3 August 2006: Sainsbury's promises to remove all hydrogenated oil from its own brand products by 1 January 2007.

Moving towards trans-free - but how fast?

Following an extended correspondence with the Sainsbury supermarket chain tfX campaigner Mrs. Joyce Fisher of Norwich received this remarkable promise from the company in a letter dated 17 November 2005, ref: 1-124699097.

Thank you for writing back to me on the important subject of hydrogenated fats.
I am pleased to tell you that, in response to our customers' concerns, we have decided to remove hydrogenated fats from all our own brand products. Our suppliers are currently looking at finding suitable alternatives which will ensure that the quality of our products remains the same. We are confident that all our products will be free from hydrogenated fats within the next few months.
I hope that my letter reassures you that we have taken this matter seriously, and that we will have the pleasure of serving you for many years to come.
Yours sincerely, Katherine Mobey, Executive Office.

The Sainsbury's press office also sent us this statement on 22 November 2005 which, while helpful, appears to draw back from the earlier commitment:

We are committed to finding ways of limiting fat, sugar and salt in what we sell and are certainly looking closely at the removal of hydrogenated fats.
Removing hydrogenated fat in our the Taste The Difference range is well underway. We have also built this requirement into the brand standard of many of our other ranges including Be Good To Yourself.
In general, our health pledge is to:

Limit the amount of fat, sugar and salt in all-brand products
Promote healthier eating choices throughout the year and ensure that healthier choices are accessible and affordable
Support campaigns, activities products and information that promote healthier foods as part of a healthier lifestyle.

Contact

Website: www.sainsbury.co.uk
Address: Sainsbury plc, 33 Holborn, London, EC1N 2HT.