The outcome of two years of product development, the new range – which uses rapeseed oil – was created to find a long-term sustainable alternative to using palm oil, the company claimed.
Palm Free Duo paste was used by Morrisons in its hot cross buns in the run-up to Easter, and Bakels is hopeful other leading retailers will follow suit.
140M hot cross buns
The company estimated that 140M hot cross buns are made every year with its ingredients.
Greg Woodhead, product development manager at British Bakels, said the 60-strong range allows industrial bakers, biscuit makers and confectioners to remove palm oil without a detrimental effect on product quality or cost.
“Currently, products like caramels, toffee sauces and cupcake icings, are all produced with palm oil, so it really is endemic in bakery.
“However, we are removing palm oil because of its sustainability credentials.
“There are big questions on whether the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil certification really provides genuine sustainability.”
Product quality
Woodford conceded that the new formula is “slightly less process tolerant” than using palm oil, but it has led to a substantial improvement in product quality.
“We can’t deny that palm oil is very competitively priced, and it has been very challenging to replace.
“However, the palm-free mix gives much better volume to the finished product, which was a pleasant surprise for us.
“Rapeseed oil is also lower in saturated fat, so there are clear health benefits too.”