Tesco expands ban on additives in its own-brand range to curb ultra-processed foods
Tesco announced it has prohibited or limited 114 food additives in its own-brand products, responding to shopper demand for healthier options.
Tesco is overhauling its own-brand portfolio after customer surveys showed a strong desire to cut ultra-processed foods. The chain now bans or limits 114 additives, adding 49 new restrictions compared with the prior year, covering items such as artificial colours, aspartame and monosodium glutamate. Alice Ritchie, head of Healthy and Sustainable Diets, said the company is committed to making nutritious food affordable and is guiding suppliers to use additives only when essential for safety, shelf life or quality, and in the smallest possible quantities.
The retailer has been reformulating products for eight years, aiming to lower calories, saturated fat, salt and sugar while boosting positive nutrients like fibre, fruit and vegetables. Tesco also plans to work with branded suppliers to ensure HFSS-compliant options and to increase transparency about ingredient lists. The initiative follows similar moves by other UK chains, such as M&S’s minimal-ingredient range.
