Beneo's Isomalt expands applications in India

The Beneo-Instiute says India's Ministry of Health has approved further food categories for which its low glycaemic sugar replacer Isomalt can be used.

The decision is an important contribution to healthy nutrition in India, considering that according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the country suffers from a prevalence of diabetes with 31.7 million cases of diabetes, accounting for nearly 19% cent of all diabetics worldwide.

Studies in Diabetes Care predict a growth rate by 2.5 until 2030.

Originally used in India for applications such as chewing gum, chocolate and confectionery, the new approval means that the ingredient can now be used for an even wider range of food categories.

Among these are the popular 'traditional Indian sweets' category, which includes sweets such as Halwa, Mysore Pak and Boondi Ladoo.

In addition, the sugar replacer can now also be used for instant sweetmeat mixes, bakery products, jams, jellies and marmalades, ice cream, frozen desserts and yogurt.