House of Brussels Chocolates (HBSL) has announced the development of a new medical advisory board to investigate and research the use of chocolate as a carrier for dietary supplements, functional foods and pharmaceutical compounds to treat various medical conditions.
Headed by Dr William Donovan,the new committee of health care specialists will evaluate and identify key companies, personnel and products involved with new advances in utilising chocolate as a highly palatable carrier for various compounds spanning the spectrum from simple dietary supplements to pharmaceutical compounds targeting specific types of medical conditions.
The committee's key goal will be to identify research projects and the people behind them, put a chocolate-based product around the project, and then attempt to push the product to commercialisation.
"As a significant outside shareholder of the company with medical expertise, HBSL management asked me to consult on several projects they have in research and development involving the addition of supplements to their award-winning gourmet and no-sugar-added gourmet chocolates," said Donovan. "I quickly recognised the simplicity of adding supplements to treat maladies of advancing age such as osteoporosis and elevated cholesterol to chocolate.
"Further recognising the trend towards healthful snack foods, it became abundantly apparent that the Company was preparing to enter a multi-billion dollar market in a very serious way. I then suggested a medical advisory board be implemented, my suggestion was approved, and I was asked to form and chair it."
"We are continuing to source innovative new products and niche markets where margins, customer receptivity and profits are high," said Brussels managing director Grant Peteresen. "Our foray into nutritional supplement bars can now be added to our sales efforts in the no-sugar-added and low-carbohydrate arenas.
"With the formation of this new advisory board by Dr Donovan, and his willingness to assist us in addressing an emerging mega-market, Brussels sees a huge opportunity to leverage existing clients and open doors to new clients that cater to demographic groups with above-average discretionary spending habits."
House of Brussels Chocolates has manufactured and distributed Belgian chocolates around the world since 1983.