Indian food firms targeting the sugar-free segment
Categories approved from the ministry of health for use of artificial sweeteners include biscuits, bread, cakes and pastries, jams and jellies, chocolates, confectionery, carbonated soft drinks and powder concentrate beverages.
21/02/05 India, As the trend towards sugar-free and low-calorie foods gathers momentum, food and beverage firms like Cadbury, HLL, ITC Foods, Glaxo Smithkline and Weikfield are firming up plans to foray in this segment.
While HLL is working on low-calorie pre-mixed tea and coffee mixes, Cadbury is planning to launch sugar-free chocolates and confectionery. “We are exploring options in the sugar-free chocolate segment,” confirmed a Cadbury official.
Other firms working on sugar-free or 'healthier' food products include ITC Foods (confectionery and bakery products), Weikfield (jams and jellies), and Glaxo Smithkline (sports drinks).
Categories that already have approval from the ministry of health for use of artificial sweeteners include biscuits, bread, cakes and pastries, jams and jellies, chocolates, confectionery, carbonated soft drinks and powder concentrate beverages. Several firms have now applied to the ministry for approval for a new chemical sweetener, Neotame.
However, there's a flip side to the sugar-free movement. Organisations such as the Centre for Science & Environment (CSE) have drawn attention to the fact that though artificial sweeteners are gaining popularity in India, regulators still have not assessed the entire health impact of this business.
A Dabur Foods official said that its sugar-free juice variant, Real Active, is now growing faster compared to the regular Real juice brand. Dabur is working on more variants in the sugar-free category, the official added.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-1024319,curpg-2.cms
