Press release -
Müller removes sugar with new yogurt culture
Müller Corner, one of Britain’s best loved yogurt ranges, is set to reduce sugar by up to 9% and gain a creamier texture, thanks to the discovery of a new yogurt culture.
Following a rigorous research and development process which involved access to more than 13,000 strains, Müller discovered that the combination of two specific yogurt strains[1], created a less sour tasting yogurt which means less sugar is required to be added to create a better taste.
Having already reduced total sugar by 13.5%[2], equalling 1759 tonnes, the new mild recipe could allow Müller to reduce sugar in its Müller Corner range by 9%[3]. At the same time, the dairy company is also removing all added sugar from its core Müllerlight range, reducing the total sugar content by up to 28%[4].
Müller, the Official Yogurt Of British Athletics[5], has worked for the last 18 months to develop the new culture and the new recipes, which will be available from May 2019. It’s backed by consumer testing[6], with respondents preferring the thicker texture and creamier taste.
The discovery is part of Müller’s £100m investment to innovate, develop, manufacture and market a new generation of yogurt and desserts products.
Having recently reformulated Müllerlight Greek Style and Müllerlight Fruitopolis so that they include 0% added sugar[7], Müller had also previously reformulated the iconic Müller Corner Strawberry flavour so that it has 19% less sugar and launched Müller Corner Plain, the dairy company’s first ever Müller Corner made with unsweetened natural Greek style yogurt.
Michael Inpong, Chief Marketing Officer at Müller said:
“From industry leading sugar reformulation to helping children to become more active, we’re extremely passionate about empowering people to live more healthy lifestyles.
“So as the UK’s favourite yogurt brand, the challenge we faced was how to reduce sugar, without ever compromising on taste.
“By changing the culture we use to make our yogurt we’ve created something completely unique. Not only does the new Corner yogurt recipe have a thicker and creamier texture, but it has less sugar. It’s backed by our consumer sampling, and we’re very excited to bring this new recipe to market.”
[1] Selected and combined specific strains from two species: Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus
[2] Across its branded yogurt portfolio. Total sugar SWA per 100g, less 3.8g lactose allowance per 100g (based on Kantar volume data). Public Health England: Sugar Reduction – Achieving the 20%. Year end 2015 vs Year end 31st August 2017
[3] Per 100g
[4] Per 100g
[5] Official Yogurt as Proud Sponsor of British Athletics
[6] Based on taste test responses from a group of 150 people
[7] Contains naturally occurring sugars
Topics
Müller UK & Ireland is wholly owned by the Unternehmensgruppe Theo Müller which employs 27,500 people throughout Europe. In the UK, Müller develops, manufactures and markets a wide range of branded and private label dairy products made with milk from more than 1,700 British farmers.
The Müller brand is ranked at No.7 in The Grocer’s Top 100 list of Britain’s Biggest Brands, and is also the 7th most chosen brand in the UK, picked from shelves more than 208 million times each year. Müller UK & Ireland comprises three business units:
Müller Milk & Ingredients is Britain’s largest producer of branded and private label fresh milk, cream, butter and ingredients products, with a network of dairies and depots servicing customers throughout the country.
Müller Yogurt & Desserts is the UK’s leading yogurt manufacturer responsible for major brands like Müllerlight, Müller Corner and Müller Rice. It produces chilled desserts under licence from Mondelez International and supplies the UK private label yogurt market from a dedicated, state of the art yogurt facility.
Milk & More delivers daily essentials to more than 500,000 homes in Britain, via a network of 57 local fulfilment centres. The milkman is arguably the original home delivery service and Milk & More is ensuring that this great British tradition continues to flourish.
Müller is an Official Supporter of British Athletics and Athletics Ireland. With branding and activation rights for four events in 2018 and three events in 2019, Müller aims to empower consumers to make active and healthy lifestyle choices.
