The Manchester-based Co-op has discontinued 27 of its own-brand products from marrowfat peas to prawn cocktail shells and changed the recipes of 53 other grocery items after a comprehensive review of 2,800 of its own-label foods.
The flavour enhancer, monosodium glutamate (MSG), which is believed to cause reproductive disorders and headaches, and 12 artificial colourings including Tartrazine, thought to cause hyperactivity in children and Sunset Yellow, which is linked to stomach and kidney disorders, have been withdrawn.
The Co-op is the first supermarket chain to overhaul all its products and ban the commonly-used additives after conducting consumer research that showed parents are increasingly concerned that their children's health and behaviour is being adversely affected.
Where possible everyday products such as crisps, sausages and pasta sauces have been reformulated with natural alternatives replacing the suspect additives. Where no alternatives could be found the products have been withdrawn.
Although the artificial colourings are still legally permitted in Britain some have been banned in the US and Japan. The EU is closely monitoring the latest scientific studies into long-term health effects of food additive consumption.
The Hyperactive Children's Support Group has backed the move and believes it will help parents avoid feeding youngsters with products which cause allergic reactions and hyperactivity.
Among the products already pulled from the shelves are Co-op branded Foamy Fruits, Pink and White Marshmallows, canned fruit cocktail, canned strawberries, Meal Solutions Indian Meal, Roast Pork Char Sui, Meal Solutions Tandoori Chicken, Chinese Style Spare Ribs and Jumbo Pork Sausage BBQ.
Christine Clarke, head of Co-op brand, said: "Today's consumers want and expect higher standards of food integrity and, as a responsible retailer, we are determined to meet these expectations by delivering food they can trust without compromising on safety and taste.
"The removal of MSG and these colourings is in direct response to these concerns. The Co-op brand food range now has no added MSG and is free of these colours, even though we have had to de-list a number of products as a result."
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Well done Co-op. It is increasingly difficult to find products with no artificial (and un-necessary) additives in. Try finding sparkling drinks without aspartame/acesulfame K potentially linked to Alzheimer's for example. Although they have sugar in, these chemicals are cheaper and being put in as well. I would like a choice of natural products - even if that means I have to pay more.
Once again the Co-op improves the consumers lot - it's just so easy for them.
Hope the other high street retailers and supermarkets now follow their lead.
Strange that the co-op still sells and profits from tobacco if it cares so much about the health and well-being of its customers.
Well done co-op and good point about the cigarettes Sid! Perhaps the co-op could display mens magazines with more care as their next project cos im really not happy about my child seeing naked girl on girl action every time we visit!! Thanx.
Not only does the Co-op trade in and profit from tobacco, the co-operative bank says that it is 'customer led, ethically guided'. The bank's shareholders are the big Co-op societies, all of which trade in tobacco, a substance that kills thousands of Brits per year. How many deaths does the tobacco traded by the Co-op cause? How ethical is the Co-op?