Cerestar Food & Pharma Specialties Europe has added a new grade of bio-organic glucose syrup to its C*BioSweet product portfolio. The clear glucose syrup is derived from organically-grown wheat sourced in Europe.

According to Cerestar , the product is manufactured according to the group's strict controls and EC Council regulations on organic production. Cerestar believes that the glucose has greater potential in the confectionery industry, especially in the manufacture of hard candies.

"Environment-conscious consumers are increasingly demanding bio-organic foods," said Mauro Riccardi, Italian Cerestar specialist.

"C*BioSweet offers producers a sweetener from which they can reliably create these types of products and reach a fast-growing market that has now moved into the mainstream."

The new product also meets the demand from Italian ice cream producers, as the bio-organic food market continues to grow.

"C*BioSweet DE 60 has particular benefits for ice cream manufacturers where the difficulties in balancing sweetness, freezing point depression andtexture can be overcome through its use," said Riccardi.

"Demand in Italy for this sweetenerhas already out-stripped our targets - and we are expecting good takeup this year across the rest of Europe too."