Asda - trans-free by 2008

Asda, one of Britain's biggest supermarket chains, and part of the massive US-based Wal-Mart empire, to exclude hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) from its products by 2008. We had earlier though tthat its target date was 1 January 2007, in common with most other supermarkets, however a tfX supporter found a large number of products containing HVO during March 2007 so we queried the position. We obtained this quote of 3 April 2007:

"We have joined with other retailers as part of a European Commitment on Hydrogenated Fat removal. We are commited to completely removing HVOs from all our own label products by the end of 2007. Where a cost increase is incurred this will be absorbed by ourselves."

This follows this statement of May 2006:

"We are revising all of our products to remove hydrogenated fat. As we have a large amount of products it is quite a lengthy process however you should see more and more products on our shelves that have no hydrogenated fat in them. Now all of our quiches are free from hydrogenated fat and we have a whole range of ready meals called 'Go Cook' which has just arrived in store that is completely free from hydrogenated fat."

Asda's "Food Pledge"

ASDA has launched a new Food pledge to look after you, your ASDA food quality and the environment so that you and your family can eat and shop for your favourite foods more easily. ASDA's Food pledge can be summarised as: 'Selling safe, honest food that is good for its customers and their families at best value prices always'. This food pledge will mean that ASDA will ... Make 'healthy eating' easier by reducing the fat, salt and sugar levels in its food and drink by up to 10% with no loss of taste and no price increase. Additives will also be removed if unnecessary. ... "

Contact

Website: www.asda.co.uk
Post: Customer Services, ASDA House, Southbank, Great Wilson Street, Leeds, LS11 5AD.
Telephone: 0500 100055.
Fax: 0113 241 7732.