CELLDEX - Development of a low calorie bulk sugar replacer

CELLDEX aims to deliver a pleasurable, great tasting chocolate confection with a reduced calorie and sucrose content that will appeal to consumers as an attractive alternative to standard chocolate confections. To achieve this, the project will develop a process to produce a new low calorie bulk sugar replacer from sustainable sources. The new ingredient must out-perform currently available alternatives in providing high quality chocolate confections without undesirable side effects at a reasonble price. The impact of the new ingredient on human physiology will be tested to determine its low calorie credentials and determine the threshold of tolerability. The new ingredient will eventually be available to the food industry and enable the formulation of a range of healthier reduced sugar foods. The availability of tasty but healthy snacks has a role to play in fighting the trend of increasing obesity and type 2 diabetes.