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UK snack makers reformulate recipes as rules on “less healthy” foods tighten
Mondelēz says it has invested £40m since 2020 in reformulation, as the Food and Drink Federation estimates up to 80% of changed products could fail under a new government model.
Healthy eating rules are pushing UK snack brands to rework their recipes, and the changes are often difficult for shoppers to spot. The biscuit can look and snap the same, while nutrition is altered to meet stricter standards for foods high in fat, sugar and salt.
One example described is BelVita’s soft bakes range, which has been reformulated to avoid being classified as “less healthy,” with sodium cut by 56%. The article also notes the industry has been testing and optimizing formulations in laboratory settings, including how crackers perform under heat, moisture, and packaging conditions.
The Guardian reports that government policy is also adding pressure beyond individual recipe changes. Since January 2026, paid-for advertising of HFSS products has been banned online entirely, and the government is now reviewing the formula that determines which foods qualify as “less healthy.”
Food companies warn the upcoming review could undo years of work quickly, according to the Food and Drink Federation estimate that 80% of reformulated products could fail under the new model, especially on sugar. The article says Mondelēz International has invested £40m since 2020 in reformulation and has positioned the UK as its largest R and D hub, with more than 750 scientists and engineers working at its Bournville consumer research center and RSSL in Reading.
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