Snack brands catering for specific markets, rice-based FABs, functional dairy products and energy-giving or low-carb confectionery are among the recent highlights from the Mintel Global New Products Database (GNPD).
Summer is also a time when dieting becomes even more important, as we try to squeeze into last year's swimming costume. But for those people who want to lose weight without giving up all their favourite sweet foods, help may be at hand.
In the US, for example, a new product has been launched called SoYummi Gummi Sours, made with organic agave fruit juice and non-GMO soy ingredients and coming in three fruit flavours, while sugar-free pioneer Russell Stover Candies has launched a range designed for low-carbohydrate dieters, including mint patties and toffee squares, which contain zero sugar carbohydrates.
Another company, Innovative Candy Concepts, has added Sinfully Delicious Candy Bites to its line up. Tagged as 'guilt free', the line is described as 'real desserts without all the calories'. The soft candies contain only two calories each and are fat- and sugar free. Flavours include key lime pie, mocha butterscotch sundae and Southern peach cobbler.
Chocolate boost
In the chocolate confectionery sector, the emphasis has been more on energy boosting rather than weight loss in recent months, with products such as Cadbury's Boost with guarana and Milka Energy with dextrose from Kraft Jacobs Suchard already on the market.
The latest addition comes from Alfred Ritter in Germany which has developed an energy-giving line within its Ritter Sport chocolate tablet range. The new line is called Active Crunch and comprises three varieties: Guarana Crunch with stimulating guarana, Müsli Crunch with four grains and Nuss Crunch with nuts and cereals.