Yoghurt makers reassure over reduced fruit content claims

Yoghurt manufacturers have moved to reassure customers over the fruit content of products following reports the industry has cut back on fruit.

Agrana - the world’s biggest producer of fruit preparations for the dairy, ice cream and baked goods industries - last week reported a fall in operating margin within its fruit business, from 5.5% in 2010/11 to 5.4% in 2011/12.

The fall was largely down to lower demand for fruit yoghurt caused by the tough trading environment coupled with yoghurt manufacturers cutting back on fruit content, said Agrana’s biggest shareholder, Südzucker.

However, the two biggest branded yoghurt suppliers in the UK said no major changes had been made. “The fruit content/proportion of fruit in Müller yoghurts has not been reduced,” said a spokeswoman for Müller Dairy UK.

Danone stressed its fruit content was in line with average figures for leading chilled yoghurts and desserts brands. “We only ever consider changing the formulation of our products if this would deliver a higher level of taste satisfaction for our consumers,” said a spokesman.