United Biscuits has slashed the fat levels across brands such as Go Ahead! Jacob's Cream Crackers and Wheat Crunchies to boost sales among health-conscious consumers.

The manufacturer made the changes this week as part of a drive to make its biscuit, cake and crisps brands healthier, in a move that follows the 50% reduction of saturated fat across its McVitie's biscuits portfolio last November.

It has cut sat fat across the Go Ahead! range of low-calorie snacks, cutting levels in its Crispy Fruit Slices 50% and levels in its Yoghurt Breaks range 18%.

UB claimed the new recipe for its Jacob's Cream Crackers was the "best ever", with increased fibre content and 30% less saturated fat. The high-fibre recipe was an industry first for savoury biscuits, it said.

Meanwhile, it has reformulated Wheat Crunchies and Nik Naks to be free of artificial colours and MSG and has also reduced the satfat content of both by 60%. KP Nuts Spicy Chilli has also been totally stripped of MSG.

The changes would help UB win share from the blossoming health food market, according to Alice Cadman, head of strategic projects at UB. "The healthier biscuits and healthier snacks markets are together now worth £487m and enjoying sustained growth, so it is important our core products are continually improved in addition to our dedicated healthier products," she said.

"These landmark achievements mean that United Biscuits is able to continue to offer retailers a wide range of products for their customers who are looking for healthier alternatives."