COLOGNE, GERMANY — Beneo planned to show how its ingredients may work in tandem with stevia-based sweeteners at ISM, a confectionery trade fair taking place in Cologne from Jan. 29 to Feb. 1. Steviol glycosides extracted from the stevia plant were approved for use as non-caloric sweeteners in the European Union last November.

Beneo was to showcase herbal flavored sugar-free candy samples using its Isomalt, which is made from beet sugar, along with stevia. The ingredient combination supports a range of flavors without a negative aftertaste sometimes associated with stevia, according to Beneo. The combination achieves such benefits as sugar-free, low-glycemic, tooth-friendly and low-calorie.

Beneo also was to showcase a chewing gum concept that featured its Palatinose (isomaltulose) combined with stevia. The ingredient combination demonstrates a sugar-like sweetness that masks the licorice-like aftertaste sometimes associated with stevia, according to Beneo, which added Palatinose is low-glycemic and tooth-friendly.