Thursday February 2, 2012

Stevia Chocolate Ranked As Top Innovation

Cologne, Germany — Cavalier N.V.’s chocolate products sweetened with stevia took top honors in the ISM New Product Showcase, while snack maker Ültje GmbH and PEZ International GmbH placed second and third, respectively.

Cavalier partnered with Barry Callebaut AG to develop the semisweet Belgian chocolate during the past year. The sugarfree candy supplier used the chocolate in a line of pralines and 1.5-ounce bars with a range of flavors, including milk, cocoa nibs dark and milk with hazelnuts. The products are not available in the U.S., according to Amer Merhi, Area Sales Manager for the company’s business in the Middle East, Africa and India. However, the company’s Anti-Oxidant variety with dark chocolate and berries has been very popular at the show, he tells Candy & Snack TODAY.

Ültje took second place with two promotional flavors of Ültje Crispers, which are coated peanuts. Curry sausage and hamburger varieties were launched as promotional items timed with the start of the 2012 UEFA European Football Championship, according to the company’s Katharina Peper, product manager. Available in curry sausage and hamburger varieties, the snacks come in red and yellow 11.4-ounce bags featuring images of each flavor’s namesake food item. Peper says the flavors were chosen to appeal to soccer fans.

PEZ was honored for Pez Soft, its new fruit-flavored gummies shaped to resemble traditional Pez candies. The jellies are made with natural flavors and pack in colored spring-action dispensers featuring the brand logo. The dispensers and 3.5-ounce refill packs have been on the Austrian market since August 2011, but are not available for the U.S. market, the company says.

About 80 journalists participated in the poll to select the top products, and more than 100 items from nearly 80 companies were spotlighted at this year's show. All of the products can be viewed online at newproducts.ism-cologne.de/en/.