Nestlé Professional has announced that all of its confectionery lines within the OOH market now contain no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives ('No Arts'), including its 'five to drive' and '10 to vend' top sellers.

A programme of extensive research and product development that started in 2005 has seen more than 80 ingredients being replaced with alternatives. Concentrates of fruit, vegetables and edible plants such as carrot, hibiscus, radish safflower and lemon are amongst a range ingredients used to impart their characteristic colours and these have been used in Nestlé favourites such as Smarties.

Neil Stephens, managing director, Nestlé Professional UK & Ireland, said: "This is a significant milestone as part of the Nutrition, Health and Wellness strategy here at Nestlé. "To be the first major company to announce that it's 100 per cent free of artificial preservatives, flavours or colours across our entire confectionery portfolio is a great achievement and welcome news for our UK customers in the out of home market."

He added: "It's important to stress that Nestlé has ensured that neither taste nor quality standards have been compromised during the process." Nestlé's 'Five to Drive' top sellers include Kit Kat, Kit Kat Chunky, Aero chocolate bar, Polo Original mints and Rowntree's Fruit Pastilles.

The company's '10 to Vend' comprise Kit Kat Four Finger, Polo Original mints, Rowntree's Fruit Pastilles, Kit Kat Chunky, Aero Peppermint, Yorkie Milk Chocolate, Yorkie Raisin & Biscuit, Toffee Crisp, Drifter and Aero Caramel. Any Nestlé confectionery products included within a McDonald's McFlurry or KFC Krushems will also be 'No Arts' in the future.