British supermarket chain Tesco has increased the number of banned or restricted additives in its own-brand range from 65 last year to a current 114 in a push to accommodate customers’ desire for healthier eating.

The supermarket confirmed on Friday that it is continuing its work to reformulate own-brand products to reduce the number of items classed as ultra-processed or high in fat, sugar, or salt. These include monosodium glutamate, artificial colours and aspartame, according to a statement.

The company said that research it conducted had found that over 80 per cent of customers are trying to reduce the number of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) they consume, but that the issue can be difficult to navigate for shoppers.

Tesco’s head of healthy and sustainable diets Alice Ritchie said that “Health needs are reshaping the way people shop,” while concerns around UPFs have moved beyond “trend territory”.

The supermarket added that it would continue to work with its suppliers to reformulate its products, targeting the use of familiar “kitchen cupboard” ingredients to be used where possible and the restriction of additives to the minimum required for food safety, shelf life and quality.

The move is part of a wider push by the supermarket into healthy eating. Tesco said that 65 per cent of its UK and Republic of Ireland food sales are now classed as healthy, while fruit and vegetable sales are up 10 per cent since 2022.

Ritchie said in a podcast released by the company that an increasing use of weight loss drugs in the GLP-1 receptor antagonist class is also reshaping eating habits, encouraging those using the products to ensure they are getting enough protein and fibre in their diets. “I’ve never heard as many people say nutrient dense as I have in the past few months,” she added.

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