Fri, 06 Jun 2025

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 Should you be eating food products with fewer ingredients?

Food firms are marketing ranges with fewer ingredients, but are they healthier?
Kerry Clayton, a mother with dietary restrictions and allergies, praises Marks & Spencer's "Only" range, which features products with six or fewer ingredients. The line includes corn flakes costing £2.50 for 325g, compared to 90p for standard cereal. Clayton notes that prices may seem high to those without dietary restrictions but are reasonable for her family. Retailers and food brands are increasingly offering simpler products in response to growing consumer demand for lower-processed foods. Matthew Hopkins, founder of IND!E, says he's seen a 40% increase in retailer enquiries about products with fewer ingredients over the past year. Plant-based brand THIS has launched a new Superfoods range, featuring natural ingredients and responding to surveys indicating that shoppers are avoiding meat replacement products due to their processed nature. However, some experts argue that the M&S Only range prioritizes hype over health. Nutritionist Dr Laura Wyness expresses disappointment, stating that leaving out fortified nutrients is a "backwards step for public health nutrition." Dr Jibin He notes that processed food will remain essential for feeding the growing human population and criticizes the concept of ultra-processed foods (UPF) as flawed. To create less processed products, Dr He advises simplifying formulas, examining ingredients, and exploring new processing and packaging technologies. The trend towards lower-processed food may lead to higher prices and marketing campaigns justifying them. Premium porridge brand 3Bears has launched its own range of low-ingredient breakfast cereals in partnership with footballer Harry Kane, priced at £3.99 for 250g. Meanwhile, some foods like confectionery seem less affected by the UPF debate, as the UK market continues to grow steadily despite a high proportion of processed products.
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