BENEO used Europe’s recent ISM 2015 as an opportunity to showcase its expanded “Sweets Collection,” including its latest range of new product concepts and corresponding samples for sugar-free and low glycemic hard candies. The new concepts offered visitors inspirational ideas on how to develop products that meet consumer demand for sweetness and indulgence, but benefit from a healthier nutritional profile.
Higher health consciousness among US consumers leads to the request for healthier products including calorie reduction and sugar reduction. Exploring new ways to meet this demand presents exciting opportunities for confectionery producers. Using its “Sweets Collection” as a platform to present innovative ideas for sugar-free and low glycemic hard candies, BENEO supports the development of new flavor combinations with nutritional benefits, to revitalize the hard candy market and inspire manufacturers.
The samples at ISM 2015 were developed in close cooperation with the BENEO-Technology Center and the company’s marketing team. All of the samples are low glycemic, sugar-free, calorie reduced and contain natural flavors, in a direct response to consumer demand for cleaner labels and reduced sugar. The new product concepts include:
Bitter Aperitif Candy – This stamped hard candy delivers a new flavor sensation with a slightly bitter taste, designed for adult palates. Containing BENEO’s sugar replacer ISOMALT, it is very resistant to acid and enzymatic hydrolysis, improving shelf life and supporting the bitter taste sensation.
White Chocolate, Hazelnut Candy – Thanks to the use of ISOMALT, this creamy white swirl candy has a mild, velvety chocolate flavor that is ideal for those looking for a calorie-reduced dessert alternative. Additionally it may help with sugar-cravings during the afternoon, or in the evening.
Rhubarb-Vanilla Candy – Alongside a creamy vanilla taste this stamped cream-colored candy includes pink specs and delivers a refreshing rhubarb flavor. The use of ISOMALT ensures these sweet and sour flavors are combined in a perfect balance.
Mint Blue Burst Candy – With a transparent form and shiny blue liquid core these mint-filled, stamped candy drops give a refreshing kick. ISOMALT creates a transparent melt that enables the candy to keep its shine, color and transparency during the product’s entire shelf-life. In addition, ISOMALT does not interact with active ingredients, making it the sugar replacer of choice when it comes to functional candies.
“New ideas are vital in the candy industry,” says Thomas Schmidt, a BENEO marketing director. “Our latest innovative sugar-free hard candies with ISOMALT are pleasing both in terms of taste and visual appeal and encourage the industry to push the boundaries of sugar-free candies beyond cough drops. Retailers are looking for a wider choice of appealing, healthy-impulse items at the check-out area and BENEO provides the inspiration for manufacturers to fill those gaps.”
BENEO’s ISOMALT is the only sugar-replacer made from beet-sugar. It has a sugar-like, mild sweetness and is the leading sugar replacer in sugar-free hard candies worldwide. BENEO has a longstanding expertise in the preparation of bulk sweeteners and in the development of healthier sugar-free candies. ISOMALT’s low glycemic and tooth-friendly characteristics are approved for EFSA health claims. It also carries a health claim by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for being kind-to-teeth.
—BENEO www.beneo.com
