The next mega trend to hit UK supermarkets - and experts say it's good for you

Keeping food simpler, healthy and less complicated is what a growing number of UK shoppers want to see on the supermarket shelves now. Many consumers have been left baffled and bewildered by long lists of ingredients they have never heard of in products. And while supermarkets offering goods with a short ingredient list may seem the latest trend, the concept isn't strictly new.

Way back in 1893, Shredded Wheat was invented as the one ingredient breakfast option. It was Henry D. Perky (1843-1906), a lawyer, businessman, railroad builder, and promoter, who invented shredded wheat, the first ready-to-eat cereal that revolutionised the way Americans ate breakfast.



Shredded wheat, literally made of just wheat, is an excellent source of dietary fibre, which aids digestion, helps maintain bowel health, and can contribute to a feeling of fullness, potentially aiding in weight management Now, according to Food Manufacture magazine, the clean label movement (products with a short ingredient list) has been bubbling away once again for some time as consumers look to eat more healthily and are keen to know exactly what makes up the food they buy and eat. High Street favourite Marks & Spencer appear to be following this trend, as it has just launched "The Only Ingredients" portfolio of goods. The M&S range features a pack of four white rolls, three cereal choices including cornflakes, multi-grain hoops and choco hoops, and a range of cereal bars and oat milk.

A spokesperson for M&S said: "Get back to basics with our new range using six ingredients or fewer. From crunchy breakfast cereals to fluffy rolls, we've focussed on using store cupboard ingredients without sacrificing the delicious flavour you know and love." Meanwhile, the social media reaction has been positive.

"Whoever came up with this concept needs a big fat raise" one person commented on TikTok while another said "They're trying to market things that look less processed, it's going to be the new high protein." Another food writer added: "It drives me crazy when I see a million different ingredients on a simple product like bread or yoghurt. From fillers to artificial flavors, most of this stuff is junk - and believe me, your body would be much better off ingesting something that's free of a tone of additives, preservatives and ingredients developed in a science lab.

" In general, health experts agree that the shorter the ingredient list, the healthier the food. Sunna van Kampen, founder of supplement brand Tonic Health said: "Consumers are waking up to the reality of what they are eating and brands are starting to listen. Well done Marks & Spencer.

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