Premier Foods aims to triple plant-based sales by 2030

Premier Foods has today launched its strategy to support healthier, more sustainable lifestyles and contribute to a healthier planet and society.

The new ‘Enriching Life Plan’ by the business, which is home to brands like Bisto, Oxo and Sharwood’s, aims to more than triple plant-based sales to £250m by 2030, while also more than doubling sales of products that meet high nutritional standards, among other measures.

Following the success of other plant-based launches, including Sharwood’s ‘Deliciously Vegan’ Cooking Sauces, and meat-free Oxo cubes, the next new product in the plant-based drive is Batchelors meat-free meal pots, set to launch in the UK before the end of 2021 and featuring, amongst other ingredients, a bacon alternative coined ‘facon’.

The business said it will also explore the use of other new ingredients such as pea and wheat protein and algae to deliver its plant-based target.

With the majority of its portfolio already comprising products that meet high nutritional standards, the business is committing to expand even further in this area. Goals against this ambition include more than doubling sales of products that meet high nutritional standards and ensuring at least 50 per cent of all its products provide additional health or nutritional benefits, both by 2030.

“Our key focus continues to be encouraging healthy eating. We produce and market some of the nation’s favourite brands, bought by millions every day. This gives us a powerful opportunity to use these brands to help consumers choose new healthier options, more plant-based options, and options that are more sustainable and contribute to a less wasteful world,” Alex Whitehouse, Premier Foods chief executive, said.

The plan also represents a step forward in Premier Foods’s commitment to help tackle climate change. The company will join the Business Ambition for 1.5 degrees and set Science-Based Targets to reduce Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions from its’ direct operations by 42 per cent by 2030, as part of its commitment to reach net zero carbon emissions within its operations by 2040.

The company has pledged to reduce the environmental impact of packaging by reaching 100% recyclable, reusable, or compostable packaging by 2025.

As part of the plan, the company has set out how it will nourish the lives of colleagues and communities, focusing on helping to tackle the challenge of food poverty, supporting skills development of young and disadvantaged groups and creating a diverse culture that reflects regional demographics.

The company said it will donate 1 million meals and more than 1,000 volunteering days each year. It will establish a dedicated STEM talent development programme as well as expanding its apprenticeship schemes and on-the-job training.

“Our plan encompasses everything we touch, from the ingredients we source, to the people we serve, in line with our purpose of Enriching Life Through Food,” Whitehouse added.