Nestlé Confectionery, the manufacturer of Kit Kat, Rowntree’s and Aero chocolate bars, says it has become the first major confectioner to remove artificial colours, flavours and preservatives from its entire confectionery range.

Nestlé Crunch was confirmed as the last of the 79 products to become “no arts”, signalling the end of extensive research and product development that started in 2005, which 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 examples of ingredients used to impart their characteristic colours and these have been used in such products as Smarties, the company says.