Customers of the popular British bakery chain, Greggs, have expressed surprise after discovering the actual meat content in their favourite pastries and bakes. This revelation has raised questions about the quality of ingredients and whether consumers should reconsider their loyalty to the brand. The information surfaced on the Greggs Appreciation forum on Reddit, where users began sharing details about the meat percentages in various products.
One user highlighted the meat content in several items, noting that a sausage roll contains only 22% pork, while a steak bake has 32% beef. In terms of chicken products, the findings were similarly surprising: a chicken bake includes just 17% chicken, whereas southern fried chicken goujons contain a higher 67% chicken content, and spicy barbecue chicken bites have 70%. The festive bake is particularly low, featuring just 11% chicken, and the beef and vegetable pasty also contains only 11% beef.
Responses from users varied, with some suggesting that the reported figures may reflect uncooked weight, meaning that the raw dough and pastry could contribute to the overall weight. One user mentioned, “There’s obviously significant filler in the sausage rolls, but it’s like the sausage itself is only 22% pork.” Another user indicated that such meat percentages are fairly standard across many food products, recalling experiences with other items that contained minimal amounts of their advertised ingredients.
While some users expressed disappointment over the findings, others defended the brand. One contributor stated, “Meat is the expensive bit. They have a special factory where they experiment with ingredients to get the product as cheap as possible to manufacture so they can make money.” This led to further discussion about the perception of Greggs products as premium offerings despite the lower meat content.
Others pointed out that even high-quality sausage rolls typically contain around 40% meat, suggesting that Greggs’ offerings are on the lower end of the spectrum. One user, reflecting on their consumption of the goujons, acknowledged the 67% chicken content but expressed that it would not deter them from enjoying the product.
The community’s reaction highlights a broader conversation about ingredient transparency and consumer expectations in the food industry. As customers weigh their options, Greggs has yet to respond to the inquiries regarding the meat content in their products.
As discussions continue, it remains to be seen how this information may impact customer loyalty and the brand’s reputation in the competitive landscape of UK bakery chains.
