NOVEL INGREDIENTS


may occur when reformulating confectionery, neutralising off-notes and building back richness into confectionery applications.


Reshaping indulgence With health-conscious consumers reshaping indulgence, confectionery is no longer just about satisfying a sweet tooth; it’s about balance, functionality, and pleasure. Importantly, consumers are no longer willing to compromise – they expect their confectionery to be healthy and tasty and still accessible on price. “While sugar and fat reduction sit at


the heart of better-for-you confectionery innovation, cutting either can leave products feeling thin, flat or joyless,” points out Seles Gupta, Application Scientist at Sensient Flavors & Extracts. “Sensient’s proprietary taste modulation flavours solve this by amplifying sweetness perception and restoring creamy, indulgent mouthfeel in low sugar and low-fat confectionery products.” What might this typically mean? “A


reduced sugar chocolate tablet or a light praline filling that remains luscious, or a wafer bar where the crisp bite gives way to smooth creaminess,” says Seles. “Sensient’s extrudable no added sugar (NAS) sauces, made from ingredients such as oligofructosides, can deliver sweetness without added sugar while supporting fibre and prebiotic claims,” continues Seles. Sensient can also offer ingredients such


as its new high protein inclusions which are also said to offer the dual promise of texture and nutrition. “A crunchy bite of high protein chocolate clusters or the satisfying chew of a protein hidden inside a bar turns a functional snack into something consumers look forward to,” said Seles. Of course, adding functionality to a product is only half the story. The real challenge is making these products taste as indulgent as their counterparts. Plant proteins can bring bitterness, sugar reduction can flatten flavour and fibre enrichment can make textures dry – challenges which demand creative solutions. Here, Sensient can offer masking technologies which can help neutralise off-notes, ensuring wellness does not come at the cost of indulgence. Finally, Seles also touched on the challenges posed by cocoa today. He says: “Prices continue to rise yet cocoa remains central to the sensory experience of chocolate. Reducing the amount of cocoa in a recipe can not only lower costs but can also create lighter, more permissible indulgence, that resonates with wellness trends. Sensient’s cocoa boosters help


preserve chocolate’s rich, rounded flavour even with reduced cocoa levels – delivering both affordability and flavour impact.” Today’s health-conscious confectionery


consumer is drawn to ingredients that enable indulgence without compromise. From no-sugar functional sauces to protein inclusions, cocoa boosters, and taste modulation flavours – each element has a role to play in shaping the next generation of treats. According to Seles, the future of confectionery will belong to products that combine these elements seamlessly, offering pleasure, functionality and affordability in a single bite.


Electrolyte and creatine gummies launch


Nutraceutical gummy innovator, TopGum recently introduced a new collection of Active Lifestyle gummies – aimed at athletes and sports enthusiasts. Headlining the new collection are high- dose creatine gummies and an electrolyte solution for post-workout rehydration. Gummies are emerging as the


preferred format for getting a consistent dose of nutrients for hydration, energy, and recovery. They stand out for their pleasing flavour, accurate dosing and portability. “While creatine and electrolytes


have appeared in gummies before, they have rarely been delivered in potent, credible doses,” says Eyal Shohat, CEO at TopGum. “Creatine and electrolytes are considered ‘must have’ support,


for professional athletes and the wider consciously active community. Electrolytes are hailed for their role in supporting fluid balance, replenishing minerals lost through sweat, and keeping muscles functioning optimally.” TopGum has successfully loaded 1,500mg of creatine into each gummy. Jennifer Toomey, Head of New Product Development for TopGum USA, takes up the story: “We formulated the gummies to carry the highest dose-per- gram of electrolytes available on the market. Four gummies provide the same electrolyte dose as a 330ml bottle of a hydration sports beverage while still striking the right balance between salt and sweet notes for a fun and enjoyable flavour experience.”


OCTOBER 2025 • KENNEDY’S CONFECTION • 25


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