Scottish sweet spreads manufacturer R&W Scott has been spreading its own activity and developing new products to offer a healthier style of treat.
The firm says its Fruity Chocolate Flavour spreads are fruit- based and represent a healthier option with 66% less saturated fat than other spreads.
Quoting Kantar Worldpanel figures it says chocolate spread is the fastest-growing sub-category of jams and spreads, reaching a value of £57.6m in the year to autumn last year and showing year-on-year growth of 19.3%, driven mainly by younger consumers .
Scott’s Fruity Chocolate Flavour spreads are available in 225g clear jars with strawberry or orange-coloured labels . The RRP is £1.00 .
John Easton, managing director of R&W Scott, said: “We’re delighted by the taste and mouth-feel of these spreads, which offer a healthier option for those who love chocolate spread but are looking to lower fat in their diets. We will be introducing more flavours soon.”
• Family-owned business, Mackays, which produces the Dundee Marmalade and a range of preserves, curds and chutneys said it turned in a solid performance in 2014, achieving total turnover of almost £17m (£16,969,838), up slightly less than 1% on last year’s £16.8m.
The company recorded pre-tax profit for the financial year ended December 31 2014 of £836,554, up 13.7% on 2013.
Mackays employs 150 staff at its manufacturing base in Arbroath.
Martin Grant, Mackays managing director, said: “The strength of the Mackays and Mrs Bridges brands, coupled with robust supplier and retail relationships and a steady cost base, provides the business with a solid foundation in which to meet the challenges of the current economic environment.”
• A new range of single-portion jams and marmalades has been launched this month especially for people who want a taste of the sweet stuff but don’t want to commit to a whole jar.
The bags of 14 portions made by the UK’s oldest family-owned peanut butter and preserves producers, Duerr’s, are being sold in single flavours.
The portions are targeted at single households, families with mixed tastes and people looking for a convenient way to consume preserves.
Mark Duerr, managing director of F Duerr & Sons, said: “As the number of single households continues to rise, we wanted to meet the demands of customers who wanted to indulge in the occasional taste at a good price.”
Duerr’s bags of portions retail at £1.
