Snacks, in moderation, can add to the enjoyment of a healthy diet and the Government has recognised this in their Australian Guide to Healthy Eating [1]. A healthy lifestyle means finding a balance between the calories consumed and the calories burned.
The Smith's Snackfood Company, as a major snack food manufacturer, can play a role in helping Australians lead healthier lives. To achieve this we are improving the nutritional value of our existing products, as well as developing new, healthier snacks. We provide nutritional information on our packs and market all our products responsibly.
1. Commonwealth Department of Health and Family Services. The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating 1998.
Our initiatives
Improved nutritional profile
Smith's Classic Crinkle Cut chips and Smith's Selections Thinly Cut chips, since July 2005, have been cooked in a blend of high oleic sunflower oil and palmolein oil. Moving to this healthier oil blend has resulted in a 25% reduction in the saturated fat level *
The Smith’s Snackfood Company is also committed to reducing the salt content across our entire product range by 25% over the next five years. We have already reduced the sodium level on Smiths Original Crinkle Cut Potato Chips, the most popular potato chip flavour in the Smith’s range, by 17% versus the level in 2006.. The sodium level on Twisties Cheese flavoured snacks is also being reduced by 5% versus the same time last year . Changes will vary from product to product as we balance reducing salt levels without adversely affecting taste and consumer acceptability.
* Compared to potato chips cooked in 100% palmolien oil
Healthier snacking options
Red Rock Deli products are cooked in 100% high oleic sunflower oil making them 75% lower in saturated fat than other brands of potato chips *. They are also made by a unique process that makes them 25% lower in fat. **
Our Sakata Rice Snacks range also includes a range of baked rice snacks that are low in saturated fat.
* Compared to potato chips cooked in 100% palmolein oil
** Compared to the leading brands of Original Flavoured Potato chips.
% DI Labeling
From early 2008 The Smith’s Snackfood Company will introduce Percent Daily Intake (%DI) Labeling for its multipacks and larger ‘sharing” packs as part of industry-wide food labeling changes to help consumers make informed choices about the food they eat.
The %DI labeling provides information on the amount of calories or kilojoules per serve and what percentage of the average daily intake of energy that represents.*
Each of the small inner packs within the range of Smiths brand Multipacks will provide less than 100 Calories (418 kJ), which is just under 5 percent of daily energy intake (8700 kJ).* Nutritionists recommend that a sensible serve size for snacks should provide less then 600kJ (143 calories) **
Large packs that will carry the %DI labeling include 200gm and 175gm sizes. In these packs the percentage DI is based on a nominal serve size of 27gm which equates to no more than 600kJ of energy. To help consumers understand and control the calories they are consuming at any one time the packs state the approximate number of chips that make up a 27gm serve. Again the aim has been to make it easy for consumers to understand and make a choice about what they eat, and how it fits into their total diet.
* %Daily intakes are based on an average adult diet of 8700kJ. Your daily intakes may be higher or lower depending on your energy needs (Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, Standard 1.2.8)
** Australian Guide to Healthy Eating
Go to www.mydailyintake.net for further details on daily intake.
Responsible marketing to children
- We support the Australian Association of National Advertisers Food and Beverage Marketing Communication Code.
- We comply with government school canteen policies. Products that meet the nutrient criteria of the NSW Healthy School Canteen Strategy: Fresh Tastes @ School and the Healthy Food and Drink Supply Strategy for Queensland Schools: Smart Choices include:
- 28g Red Rock Deli – Sea Salt; Honey Soy Chicken
- 30g Snakata – Cheese Supreme; Tomato Salsa