- A survey of 2,000 Waitrose shoppers found one third switched from buying low-fat dairy products to full-fat products in the last year.
New research suggests shoppers are opting for full-fat dairy products, as retailers report a rise in sales of whole milk, full-fat yoghurt, cheese and butter.
Waitrose said sales of its own-brand whole milk rose by 6.5 per cent in in February compared to the previous year, while spreadable butter sales rose by 20 per cent over the same period — and sunflower spreads fell by 30 per cent.
A survey of 2,000 of its shoppers found that a third switched from buying low-fat dairy products to full-fat products in the last year.
Meanwhile, Marks & Spencer cafes have switched to whole milk as their default for coffees — unless a customer asks for an alternative — and Yeo Valley Organic said whole milk sales were growing twice as fast as semi-skimmed sales.
Yeo Valley reported a drop in sales of its low and fat-free yoghurts to four and seven per cent, while its full-fat versions were just as popular as ever.
Experts say shoppers have grown concerned about the hidden sugars and sweeteners in low-fat dairy produce.
Full-fat yoghurts also contain live cultures which help support your gut, whereas low-fat versions generally do not.
Rachel Aldridge, a milk and cream buyer for Waitrose told The Times: ‘As people become more focused on their gut health and look to add more whole foods into their diets, the market for low-fat dairy products is starting to decline.’
The Government’s Eat Well Guide states: ‘Go for lower fat and lower sugar products where possible,’ which is based on the 2019 report by the Scientific Advisory Committee on nutrition which concluded that consuming foods high in saturated fat is linked to higher cholesterol and a higher risk of heart disease.
Government advice states that people should limit their intake of saturated fat — any foods with more than 5g of saturated fat per 100g. These foods are coded as red on the guide.
Whole milk is ‘amber’ meaning it has a medium amount of saturated fat at 4g per 100g, while full-fat Greek yoghurt at 6g is in the high category.
However, Diabetes UK said there was ‘no favourable effect on health to choosing low-fat dairy over full-fat dairy products’ and that both are okay ‘when eaten in moderation’.
Robert Johnson is a UK-based business writer specializing in finance and entrepreneurship. With an eye for market trends and a keen interest in the corporate world, he offers readers valuable insights into business developments.
