Soleco, the giant French-owned prepared salad supplier which packs under the Florette brand has launched a range of four gourmet products, all backed by chefs. It ranges across Caesar, Italian, and Sweet & Crunchy snack bowls, and will be available from June priced at £1.49.

Another innovation has been the development of a bag with a flat base, which will allow the products to stand more easily on the retail shelf thereby giving them greater prominence.

Mark Newton, the Florette's UK commercial director, pictured, believes such ideas plus new mixes will continue to ensure UK sales in the industry will maintain their growth rate over the next five years at least.

Florette's Lichfield depot, built in 1999, has already been expanded, and UK growers account for 4,500 tonnes of salad production in the summer months.

Newton was quick to rebuff reports from US scientists that modified atmosphere packaging has affected 'vital goodness'.

Such packs mainly containing iceberg and Cos can keep salads for up to 21 days, although Soleco says only five per cent of its lines are treated in such a way. 'The complete US Cornell report was very positive about bagged salads,' said Newton.

'We resist any attempts to extend the shelf life artificially, believing we owe our success to the fact we chiefly use our logistic skills in sourcing and preparing our product, rather than chemical additives and the arbitrary use of MAP.'

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