Free at last!

Prepared Foods, July, 2003

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports Americans consumed 158 pounds of sweeteners per person in 1999. That includes sugar labeled as high fructose corn syrup, honey, molasses and maple syrup. It also is a 30% lump over the 123 pounds consumed in 1980. WHO recommends people across the globe limit sugar added to foods to less than 10% of calories. Several introductions at this year's Candy Expo in Chicago were more than happy to show consumers the light.

Debuting just before the show, Hershey Foods' (Hershey, Pa.) line of sugar-free candies includes Reese's Sugar Free Peanut Butter Cup Miniatures, Hershey's Sugar Free Chocolate candy, Hershey's Sugar Free Chocolate candy with Almonds and Hershey's Sugar Free Dark Chocolate candy. In the products, the sugar substitute is lactitol, which is slowly metabolized and "generally causes only a small rise in blood sugar levels," says the company.

The Hershey products were far from alone in abandoning sugar. Blitz Sugar-Free Power Gum from Schuster Marketing Carl). (Milwaukee) is produced with a no-heat process to intensify flavor. Dentyne Fire Gum from Cadbury Adams USA (Parsippany, N.J.) is another sugar-free offering in a hot cinnamon flavor

Another sugar-free entry launched at the show was Slim Mints, though LifeMax's (Twinsburg, Ohio) product also promises weight-loss benefits. According to the company, each mint boasts two all-natural, FDA-listed ingredients--chromium polynicolinate to reduce appetite and L-carnitine to increase metabolism.

Sugar has not been consumers' only concern, however. This is reflected in Mars Inc.'s (Hackettstown, N.J.) announcement of a change in the recipe on their popular Mars and Snickers bars in the U.K. Hydrogenated vegetable fat (aka trans fat), has been removed due to "a level of public concern on the issue," said a spokesperson. The company also is looking to change the recipes on other of its products.