BENEO is to showcase and sample the first toffees with its functional carbohydrate, Palatinose. The new product concept has been created to offer consumers a healthier toffee alternative. It replaces more than 30% of the high glycaemic sugars contained in a standard toffee recipe, supporting a lower blood glucose response.

The increasing global focus on healthy nutrition means that more and more consumers are searching for guilt-free indulgence, BENEO notes. However, market research has shown that for many this still remains a challenge: one third (31%) of European consumers, always or most of the time, feel guilty when they are snacking. Half of German consumers and nearly two thirds of consumers in Spain, Poland and France agreeing that there aren’t enough healthy sweets available.

The BENEO-Technology Center decided to create a healthier toffee supporting a lower blood glucose response as alternative to existing toffee products on the market which can contain up to 65% of high glycaemic sugars. The toffee and fudge category show continued growth: it has increased faster worldwide than the overall confectionery category in the past five years, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.4% compared to 0.9%. This development is expected to continue, demonstrating an opportunity for confectionery producers looking to develop healthier alternatives.

Thomas Schmidt, Marketing Director at BENEO, said: “Traditionally toffees conjure up pure indulgence and nostalgia but at the same time a relatively unhealthy image for consumers. However, the new toffees with Palatinose that BENEO presents at ISM preserve the traditionally creamy-sweet taste and the pleasant bite and mouthfeel of their traditional counterparts. But they have a significantly better nutritional profile, with a lower blood glucose response. This is BENEO’s answer to growing consumers interest in “better carbs” and their wish to balance blood sugar levels whilst enjoying an indulgent treat.”

Palatinose (isomaltulose) is derived from sugar beet and is said to have similar technological properties as sucrose. With its mild sugar-like taste it allows flavours other than sweetness to dominate, making it well suited for sweet snacks, BENEO claims. Palatinose has received EU health claims for being toothfriendly and lowering the blood glucose response. The functional carbohydrate is fully, yet slowly released, and provides glucose in a sustained manner. This ensures that blood sugar levels stay balanced.