February 2015

Tasty inspiration the healthy way – New concepts for sugar-free hard candies from BENEO at ISM 2015

- 1st – 4th February 2015, Cologne, Hall 10.2, Stand F66 -

BENEO is using 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 glycaemic hard candies. The new concepts being presented on stand will offer visitors inspirational ideas on how to develop products that meet consumer demand for sweetness and indulgence, but benefit from a healthier nutritional profile.

In Europe consumers are looking for healthier confectionery with more adventurous flavour combinations, while also trying to eat less sugar[1]. Exploring new ways to meet this demand presentsexciting opportunities for confectionery producers. Using its “Sweets Collection” as a platform to present innovative ideas for sugar-free and low glycaemic hard candies, BENEO supports the development of new flavour combinations with nutritional benefits, to revitalise the hard candy market and inspire manufacturers.

The samples on stand at ISM 2015 have been developed in close co-operation with the BENEO-Technology Center and the company’smarketing team. All of the samples are low glycaemic, sugar-free, calorie reduced and contain natural flavours, in a direct response to consumer demand for cleaner labels and reduced sugar. The new product concepts on stand include:

Bitter Aperitif Candy – This stamped hard candy delivers a new flavour 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 flavourthat is ideal for those looking for a calorie-reduceddessert 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-coloured candy includes pink specs and delivers a refreshing rhubarb flavour. The use of ISOMALT ensures these sweet and sour flavours are combined in aperfect balance.

MintBlue Burst Candy –With atransparent form and shiny blue liquid core these mint-filled, stamped candy dropsgive a refreshing kick. ISOMALT creates a transparent melt that enables the candy to keep its shine, colour and transparency duringthe product’s entire shelf-life.In addition, ISOMALT does not interact with active ingredients,making it the sugarreplacer of choice when it comes to functional candies.

Thomas Schmidt, Marketing DirectorBENEO: “New ideas are vital in the candy industry. 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 number one 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 glycaemic and toothfriendly characteristicsare 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.

For on-stand interviews at ISM 2015, please contact the BENEO Press Office on

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For further information on BENEO and its ingredients, please visit:

BENEO offers functional ingredients derived from chicory roots, beet sugar, rice and wheat. BENEO is the ideal partner to help improve a product in its nutritional and technological characteristics. Key nutritional benefits are ‘less fat’, ‘less sugar’, ‘less calories’, ‘added fibre’, ‘gluten-free’ and dairy alternatives as well as energy management, digestive, bone and dental health. Key technological benefits focus on taste and texture improvements. Through a unique chain of expertise, including the BENEO-Institute that provides decisive insights into nutrition science and legislation, and the BENEO-Technology Center that consults in application technology, BENEO actively supports customers in the development of more balanced and healthy food products.

BENEO is a divisionof the Südzucker Group, employs almost 900 people and has production units in Belgium, Chile, Germany and Italy.

For further press information, please contact:

Megan D’Arcy or Jo Kent at Publicasity

Tel: +44 (0)20 3757 6810

Email:

For further information please contact:

Thomas Schmidt, Marketing Director BENEO

Maximilianstraße 10, 68165 Mannheim, Germany

Tel: +49 621 421 151, Fax: +49 621 421 160

Email:

[1]BENEO consumer research 2013 and Mintel 2014