As I was mooching through the supermarket yesterday I
noticed that there is now a fresh Alpro single cream alternative (located in
the chiller cabinet) as well as the more usual longlife version, which can be
found on shelf. Interestingly, as well as different packaging, they also have
quite different proportions of ingredients.
The fresh version has these ingredients:
Water, Sunflower oil (8.4%), Hulled soya beans (3.8%),
Modified tapioca starch, Fructose-glucose syrup, Emulsifiers (Soya leicithin,
Sucrose esters of fatty acids) Thickeners (Locust bean gum, Carrageenan),
Flavouring, Sea salt, Antioxidant (Tocopherol-rich-extract).
The longlife version has far more fat:
Water, Sunflower oil (15.4%), Hulled soya beans (4%),
Fructose-glucose syrup, Emulsifiers (Soya lecithin, Sucrose esters of fatty
acids), Stabilisers (Xanthan gum, Guar gum, Carrageenan), Sea salt, Antioxidant
(Tocopherol-rich extract), Flavouring, Antioxidant (Natural Tocopherol).
They have a roughly similar cost. But which one tastes
better? In a blind tasting (admitted not performed on a large sample… just three
members of my family) the score was unanimously towards the fresh version. Just
to be awkward, I must admit I prefer the longlife version, but then I am used
to it and will happily eat it straight from the carton on a small spoon. Or
over strawberries. Or blueberries. Or whatever. Mmmm.
Tediously, however, the story doesn’t end there. I noticed
was another issue – the fresh version warned there could be a trace of nuts,
whereas the shelf version says it is made in a nut-free location. I then went
online to the Alpro site and found that they said the shelf version might
contain nuts. So what was going on?
A little bit of detective work later led me to the AllergyUK website, where I found this explanation from Alpro:
“Alpro currently produce a range of almond and hazelnut
products in locations which are separate from their soya production. However,
due to growing demand for their plant based food and drinks, Alpro will be
moving the production of almond and hazelnut drinks onto the same sites in
Belgium and UK as their soya products from the end of 2014. They will update
Allergy UK on the exact timings as soon as they have more information.
Alpro are always keen to ensure the highest safety and top quality of their
products and all possible measures will be put in place to avoid any
cross-contamination between nut and soya products (this includes maintaining
separate flows for handling raw materials and manufacturing, as well as
thorough cleaning procedures).
“Although the implementation date for this change will be at
the end of 2014, their packaging will be adapted gradually from now. Consumers
will begin to see that the Alpro soya products (such as soya drinks, desserts,
soya alternatives to yogurt and cream), rice and oat products are labelled 'may
contain traces of almonds or hazelnuts'.
“This early labelling change is to make sure that
consumers are made aware well in advance before the actual integration into
their production facilities. During this transition period there may be
packaging with the labelling and packaging without the labelling on shelf at
the same time.”
If you have concerns or want to comment about this, email Alpro
at this address: info@alprohelpline.co.uk.
An update to this story: See the new facebook page set up regarding this issue here
An update to this story: See the new facebook page set up regarding this issue here
