Skimpflation: Brands Reduce Butter in Spreads but Keep Prices High
Leading brands have recently made a surprising change to their popular spreads by reducing the amount of butter and replacing it with water, according to experts. This practice, known as "skimpflation," involves cutting ingredients while keeping prices the same. The butter levels in Country Life Spreadable, for example, have dropped by 12% since 2017, and the oil content used to soften the spread has fallen by 17%. Similarly, Anchor and Yeo Valley spreads have seen a 7.4% decrease in butter content and a 12% reduction in oil content.
Water and Salt: The Replacements for Butter
In addition to butter, the other main ingredients in these spreads are salt and water, which contribute to flavor and texture. While the salt levels have remained the same, it is likely that the water content has increased to maintain the overall weight of the product.
Lurpak Spreadable: The Exception
Among the top brands, Lurpak Spreadable stands out as the only one that has maintained its original recipe without reducing the percentage of key ingredients. Consumer expert Martyn James criticizes the practice of cutting ingredients, noting that even minor changes can have a negative impact on taste and quality.
Reasons behind the Changes
The dairy industry is currently facing challenges such as rising energy, ingredient, and staff costs, as well as decreasing demand due to the growing popularity of vegan alternatives. Yeo Valley and Anchor, owned by Arla, have highlighted that their recipe changes have resulted in reduced fat and calorie content in their spreads. Arla also emphasizes the importance of supporting cash-strapped shoppers and providing fair prices to farmers by offering better value products through promotions, new prices, and pack sizes. On the other hand, Country Life owner Saputo Dairy UK did not provide any comment on the matter.
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