When it comes to dieting, nothing is more satisfying than tucking into a traditional English Breakfast knowing that you won’t tip the scales in the wrong direction.
And when it comes to the ingredients of choice Slimming World fans have long favoured the maker of a “lighter” sausage to keep their syn count to a minimum, and their first meal of the day tasty.
But that was until the weight loss organisation made a shock revelation. Rather than coming in at half a “Syn” each – the unit used by Slimming World to rate foods – a review of the fat content and make up of the popular Porky Lights sausages has seen this jump up to 4.5 syns.
Allison Brentnall, head of food at Slimming World, said at the time:
“[Testing] is something we do routinely with products that we worry may affect our members’ weight losses.
‘The table below sets out each of the results and clearly shows that the average fat content is anything between 8.7g/100g and 19.4g/100g – all significantly higher than the 3.8g/100g fat (or 2.5g fat per sausage) declared on the nutrition information on Porky Lights’ packaging.”
An independent analysis of fat content conducted by Food Science Fusion – which delivers Professional Training for the Food Industry – revealed the following results:
Above/within tolerance
The target results for Porky Lights from their on-pack fat declaration were 3.8g/100g. The analysed results range was 6.8 – 9.1g/100g ABOVE DECLARATION
The target results for Porky Wight Chipolata Sausage from their on-pack fat declaration were 18.9g/100g. The analysed results range was 22.6 – 23.1g/100g WITHIN TOLERANCE
The target results for Porky Wight Premium Sausage from their on-pack fat declaration were 18.9g/100g. The analysed results range was 24.8 – 25.9g/100g ABOVE DECLARATION
Below declaration
The target results for Slimming World from their on-pack fat declaration were 4.5g/100g. The analysed results range was 2.5 – 3.6g/100g Below DECLARATION
The target results for M&S from their on-pack fat declaration were 2.5g/100g. The analysed results range was 1.7 – 2.1g/100g BELOW DECLARATION
It didn’t take long for Slimming World fans to make their feelings known via Twitter:
@PorkyWhitesUK so it turns out you lied about porky lights after all? All samples had varied amounts of fat all higher than 3.4. #shameonyou
— Franco (@francosaidwhat) March 17, 2017
There were even a few conspiracy theories around the furore…
If #slimmingworld bought out their own fat free yoghurt would #mullerlight no longer be #synfree ? #porkylights #sausagegate
— SarahJayne Glicksman (@TanmeSj) March 16, 2017
Others were quick to jump to an alternative…
Oooh, @SlimmingWorld independent tests verify that #PorkyLights are anything but! Personally, I find @AldiUK reduced fat sausages v good!
— Samantha (@Sammie1170) March 17, 2017
Porky Lights: Part 1
Here’s what slimmers had to say the first time round:
@slimmingworld is it true #porkylights will now be 4.5 syns each! If so this could explain my unexpected gain last week.
— Samantha Smith (@Be_Positve_Sam) March 1, 2017
In mourning today until me weigh in tonight….How could they…. X #porkylights #porkypies pic.twitter.com/CvTKoqUUsm
— Beverly Macca CBA (@BeverlyMacca1) March 2, 2017
#porkylights thanks for the weight gain this week! Furious!!!!!!
— sonnia wheatley (@candysonnia) March 2, 2017
They lied to us!!!!!!!! #Porkylights told a huge porky 🐷 4.5syns per sausage!! #NotSoSlimmingWorld
— Marisa McArthur (@risa_roo89) March 1, 2017
Managing director of G White & Co, Chris Price – the firm being the Porky Lights brand – admitted that the reclassification “is causing concern amongst Porky Lights customers”. But also argued that:
“Slimming World results are neither consistent between their own batch tests. And are highly inconsistent with the nutritional results that have been produced by numerous tests”.
Oh dear! We’re sure no one is telling porkies here but we imagine tensions will be high at the weekly weigh in!
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