Greggs boss Roger Whiteside cuts out steak bakes and sausage rolls as he switches to vegan diet

THE boss of bakery chain Greggs has gone vegan. Roger Whiteside began his plant-based diet three weeks ago. The chief executive, 61, said he was working his way through his company’s growing vegan range. Mr Whiteside, who has been in charge for seven years, said: “If you’d asked me three weeks ago which roll I […]

THE boss of bakery chain Greggs has gone vegan.

Roger Whiteside began his plant-based diet three weeks ago.

PA:Press Association

The chief executive, 61, said he was working his way through his company’s growing vegan range.

Mr Whiteside, who has been in charge for seven years, said: “If you’d asked me three weeks ago which roll I preferred I would have said the original sausage roll but I’m now attempting to live on a vegan diet.

“Obviously, there are arguments based around animal welfare and the environment but this was all about the health benefits and I thought I should give it a go.

“Avoiding meat is easy. The problem is avoiding dairy, avoiding milk and cheese is almost impossible.”

Mr Whiteside said the company was trying to develop vegan versions of its products, such as the steak bake.

Its vegan sausage roll has already become one of its top five sellers.

He said: “We’ve got the award- ­winning vegan wrap, which I have quite frequently, and the vegan sausage roll, which I’ll have about once a week.

“Now we have the sweet choice with the vegan sweet mince pie.”

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