salt

It’s war on salt, too

Sir: Your article ‘One extra gram of salt a day increases the risk of obesity 30%’ (thegrocer.co.uk, 2 September 2015) clearly shows the need to cut both sugar and salt. Too many foods continue to contain high levels of salt as well as sugar. Breakfast cereals are a prime example, with many containing as much salt as crisps and more sugar than ice cream. The reluctance of the big brands to recognise the importance of developing healthier products is what led us, as newcomers, to launch our own range of healthy cereals (Keep Me Going & Keep Me Strong) with significant sugar and salt reductions.

Richard Paterson, MD, Freedom Cereals



Profit as a force for good

Sir: As your article on cause marketing (‘Does business need a purpose’, 5 September, p22) highlighted, there is a real thirst for change in the corporate world and an increasing belief that business can be a force for social and environmental good. I have just had the pleasure and privilege of opening the London Stock Exchange with Kerry Kennedy, daughter of Robert F Kennedy, in support of business as a force for good. At the event, I announced my idea for a ‘public benefit company’, a new class of business driven by profit but generating a clear public benefit.

Kerry spoke about the inspirational work she does developing new approaches to sustainable investment in the US and James Perry, co-founder of Cook and B-Lab UK, joined us to talk about the incredible B Corporation movement, which is set to launch in the UK next week. My 10 years’ experience with Ella’s Kitchen and recent launch of Paddy’s Bathroom has shown me the power for good that business can be.

Paul Lindley, founder, Ella’s Kitchen and Paddy’s Bathroom



How much sugar?

Sir: I write in response to the letter from Sophia Nadur (12 September) regarding ‘added’ and ‘no-added-sugar’ claims, specifically on soft drinks. Polarising the debate into just these two areas is misleading to consumers. A good example to me of this confusion was a 500ml pure apple juice product I purchased from a leading high street retailer. Claims of two of your 5 a day, Fairtrade and ‘no added sugar’ were on pack yet the fact the product contained the equivalent of 14 teaspoons of sugar was not apparent at all! Wouldn’t it make more sense to highlight how many “teaspoons” of sugar are in this can, bottle or pack?

Mark Young, CEO, Zeo

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