Waitrose this week insisted it had removed hydrogenated vegetable oils from all of its own-label products - even though packaging in-store suggests otherwise.

The Grocer visited Waitrose's branch in Horsham, West Sussex, on Tuesday and was able to buy several own-label products, including cakes, biscuits and couscous, that included HVOs on their ingredients listings.

This was despite Waitrose's claims that HVOs had been eliminated from all of its products by January.

A spokeswoman for the retailer denied the products still contained HVOs, claiming the company was simply using up out-dated packaging in a bid to be "environmentally friendly".

"There are a handful of products still going out in old packaging because we want to use the packaging up and reduce waste."

HVOs have traditionally been used by manufacturers as cheap alternatives to other fats, such as butter, to improve the texture and increase the shelf-life of many types of processed foods.

They have fallen out of favour with the grocery industry because experts say they increase cholesterol and lead to blocked arteries and heart disease.

Waitrose's main rivals are all engaged in HVO-removal programmes. Sainsbury's declared itself HVO free in January and Tesco claims it has removed them from nearly all its own-brand lines. Asda is 65% through its HVO programme, while Morrisons' is 95% complete.


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