Update: February 2009
We’re passionate about making our food healthier and tastier and our customers have told us that they want less artificial additives in their food and drink. In response to this, we’re delighted to confirm that we do not use any artificial additives in our own-brand food and drink unless it’s essential to the quality and safety of the product.
Since May 2006 we’ve reviewed all our own-brand food and drink products and where necessary, we have reformulated them to remove all artificial colours*, artificial flavour enhancers including mono-sodium glutamate (MSG), the artificial sweeteners aspartame, saccharin and acesulfame k, and the benzoate group of preservatives. What’s more, we’ve succeeded in doing this whilst retaining great tasting products.
In addition, Sainsbury’s Taste the difference, Sainsbury’s be good to yourself, Sainsbury’s Kids ranges have now even tighter restrictions on additives that are used.
There are 2 remaining products in our own-brand range that are an exception:
- Processed and marrowfat peas
- Some products containing glacé cherries e.g. tinned fruit cocktail
These products are clearly labelled for you to make an informed choice. However, we are actively sourcing natural colours for each of these products.
The Southampton Six colours
You may have heard recent discussions in the media about a group of colours commonly referred to as “The Southampton Six”. This refers to the artificial food colours – Sunset Yellow (E110), Quinolene Yellow (E104), Carmoisine (E122), Allura Red (E129), Tartrazine (E102) and Ponceau 4R (E124) which were studied as part of research commissioned by The Food Standards Agency.
The research which was carried out by Southampton University suggests that eating or drinking certain mixes of these artificial food colours together with the preservative Sodium Benzoate could be linked to adverse effects on child behaviour. No Sainsbury’s brand product contains Sodium Benzoate. We've checked which of our products contain any of the named colours and have listed them below so that you can avoid them if you wish. In addition we are continuing to work hard with our suppliers to remove them from these products and will keep you updated on the progress we make.
- Processed Peas
- Marrowfat Peas
We've removed all artificial colours and flavourings, the preservative sodium benzoate and all artificial sweeteners except sucralose from our entire range of over 120 own brand soft drinks including fizzy drinks, squash, cordials and mixers.
