Hershey Cutting Calories in Classic Chocolate Bars

24 Apr 2017 --- US Chocolate giant Hershey has pledged that all of its standard and king-size confectionary range will come complete with easy-to-read front-of-pack labels which show the amount of calories by the end of next year. And half of all Hershey standard and king-size confections will be 200 calories or less by 2022, as part of the company’s “smart snacking promise”.

The Hershey Company has announced big plans to increase the visibility of nutritional information on its products by promising clear calories information on labels, and is also doing a lot of work in terms of portion controls.

According to Hershey’s, it’s building on its strategy to be transparent and provide choice to consumers and says it is the first confectionery and snacking company to make such a commitment for its entire standard- and king-size range of products.

By 2022, Hershey will make 50 percent of its total portfolio of individually wrapped standard- and king-size confectionery products with 200 calories or less. In addition, all of Hershey standard- and king-size confectionery products will have easy-to-read front-of-pack calorie labels by the end of 2018.

“Consumers are at the heart of all that we do and we have been at the forefront of providing the choice and transparency they want,” said Michele Buck, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Hershey Company.

“We aim to delight our consumers and these steps will provide an even wider range of portion options and clear information to help them select treats that fit their lifestyle.”

Right now approximately 31 of Hershey standard- and king-size confectionery products are already 200 calories or less and 70 percent of products carry the “Facts Up Front” calorie label.

The new commitments will also offer new king-size options designed to make it easier to share or “save a piece for later”.

Hershey expects that the 200 calorie commitment will be achieved through a combination of reformulation, innovative new products and adjusting the size of certain items in the portfolio, but stresses that, more than anything else, it will continue to deliver “great-tasting and high-quality products”.

What has Hershey already done?

For some time now Hershey has been building on its commitments to using simple ingredients and being open about what goes into its products and from where and how ingredients are being sourced.

In February 2015, Hershey transitioned to simple ingredients. Products include the iconic Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bars and Hershey’s Kisses Milk Chocolates to snacks like KRAVE Jerky. By 2020, all everyday Hershey’s brand chocolate confection products will have simple ingredients.

In 2015, Hershey led the development and adoption of the innovative SmartLabel platform. This year detailed SmartLabel™ product and ingredient information will be available online for 100 percent of its products, and next year SmartLabel QR codes will be on all packaging linked to detailed product and ingredient information.

Most recently, Hershey launched the interactive Sourcemap tool, allowing consumers to trace the origins of key ingredients for Hershey’s Milk Chocolate with Almonds and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.

In addition, Hershey recently reported it had sourced 60 percent of all the cocoa it purchased globally in 2016 from certified and sustainable sources, enough cocoa to surpass the amount required for the global production of four of its most popular chocolate brands: Hershey’s, Kisses, Kit Kat (US only) and Brookside.

The company is on track to achieve its commitment to source 100 percent of all the cocoa it purchases globally from certified and sustainable sources by 2020.

By Gaynor Selby

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