Marks & Spencer has launched a reduced-sugar version of its popular Percy Pig sweets, containing 36% less sugar than the original. The new sweets, priced at £1.65 per bag, are aimed at customers looking to cut down on sugar while still enjoying a treat.
The reduced-sugar Percy Pigs contain 37.5g of sugar per 100g, compared to 58.8g in the original. They also have fewer calories: 320 per 100g versus 346. M&S spent 18 months developing the new recipe, which still uses real fruit juice and no artificial colours or flavourings.
Natalie Tate, M&S Percy Product Developer, said: 'As customers are increasingly aware of their sugar intake, our new Reduced Sugar Percy Pigs are perfect for any Percy Pigs fans who love the fruity flavour but are looking to cut down their sugar a little.'
The sweets remain gelatine-free, following M&S's decision earlier this year to make the entire Percy Pig range vegetarian. That change sparked public outcry, including a comment from Piers Morgan, but a public tasting confirmed the vegetarian recipe would stay. The sweets are not vegan as they contain beeswax.
In a taste test, the reduced-sugar version appeared darker, flatter and stiffer than the original. While the fruit flavour was present, it was less strong, and the texture was harder and chewier. The reviewer noted they taste nice but are too different from the original to provide the same experience.
