United Biscuits rolls out healthier crisps

Following its decision to cut saturated fats from top snack lines, European biscuit and crisp manufacturer United Biscuits UK (UBUK) is venturing further into healthier reformulation with the relaunch of a new, improved Hula Hoops crisp brand.

The Hula Hoop brand is worth almost £70
million (€102.85m) in yearly sales and is currently the UK's fastest growing
product in the bagged snacks market. According to UKUB, the 'healthier' snack
market niche is one of the most popular sectors in bagged snacks and takes £77
million (€113.1m) in sales each year.

The multigrain Hula Hoops will be available from next month and are made from
rice flour, maize flour and wheat bran. A £1.5 million (€2.2m) advertising
campaign is to accompany the launch.

 In March, the company reformulated many
of its core brands to re-establish the products as healthier snacks. Hula Hoops
now contain 80 per cent less saturated fat than in 2005 and are made entirely
with sunflower oil.

Other crisp brands in the group's portfolio, such as Skips and Discos, were
relaunched earlier this month with new packaging highlighting the reduction in
fats.