Toothfriendly Private Label Awards Best Hard-Boiled Candies / Chewing Gum / Overall Concept / Medicated Candy / Kids‘ Product
Toothfriendly Newsletter of Toothfriendly International | 1/2014
IN THIS ISSUE:
Can stevia candies overcome the taste barrier? Mentos, Smint & other new product launches
Celebrating 30 years of Toothfriendly certification
Toothfriendly private label awards Best hard-boiled candies / chewing gum / overall concept / medicated candy / kids‘ product
Dr. Bär is the Director of Toothfriendly Inter- Tootfriendly International national and an expert in the field of Food Bundesstrasse 29 Scientific and Regulatory Services. 4054 Basel
Tel: +41 61 273 77 07 Fax: +41 61 273 77 03 [email protected] Winds of Change www.toothfriendly.org At Toothfriendly International, we often say that change is the only constant in life. Just think about the recent changes in consumer trends, food legislation or company ownership structures (“Mondelez who?”).
And sometimes – like right now – we encounter a whole bunch of people-related changes all at once. In this Newsletter we present you the new head of the pH- telemetry station of the University of Zürich – Prof. Thomas Attin – as well as the President: newcomers in our young and motivated office team in Basel. Prof. Dr. Stefan Zimmer I’m also happy to welcome a brand new President to our association: Prof. Stefan Board: Zimmer, a researcher, teacher and practitioner of preventive dentistry, has taken Dr. Peter Wiehl the command in the Executive Board of Toothfriendly International after the retire- Prof. Dr. Tuomas Waltimo ment of Prof. Bernhard Guggenheim. Dr. Seyhan Gücüm Dr. Thongchai Vachirarojpisan But the change doesn’t stop there! New ingredients (page 6) and new product Dr. Hans-Caspar Hirzel launches (page 7) keep us busy. On pages 10-11 we also reveal to you the greatest milestones in our own thirty-year history. Read on!
Office: Dr. Albert Bär Laia Grao Kati Weiss Brigitta Zürcher
Dr. Albert Bär Toothfriendly International is a non- Toothfriendly International profit association working for better oral health.
1/2014 | Toothfriendly News 3 news roundup
New study: maltitol-sweetened gum may remineralize
A new 6-month trial carried out in China which allows measuring the reminera- has found that maltitol-sweetened che- lization of demineralized areas of teeth wing gum may be beneficial in caries with fluorescent light – a method which prevention. The placebo-controlled is both harmless and easy to use. At the study revealed that maltitol chewing end of the trial, the demineralization gum may promote the remineralization was least severe in the group which had of early caries lesions. chewed maltitol-based gums.
In the study – funded by Roquette and According to Dr. Bertrand Rodriguez of conducted by the Chinese Stomato- Roquette France, the study indicates logical Association – over 400 primary that chewing gum sweetened with mal- school children with an early stage of titol may play a useful role in repairing dental caries were asked to chew dif- early caries lesions. “As long as the tooth ferent gums on a daily basis during six enamel is not too much injured, the de- months. In order to assess the effect of mineralization process may be reversed each chewing gum, researchers used an and further development of caries can image-based computerized method be avoided”, he says.
Prof. Stefan Zimmer new President of TI
In March 2013, Prof. Stefan Zimmer and action-driven impetus. from the University of Witten/Herde- cke (Germany) was elected as the new „My aim is to cherish his legacy and President of Toothfriendly International. continue to develop the association“, Prof. Zimmer continues in the foot says Prof. Zimmer. „One key challen- steps of Prof. Bernhard Guggenehim ge for the future is to broaden the who guided the association for over scope of the Toothfriendly certifica- 20 years. Prof. Zimmer thanked his pre- tion both geographically and into new decessor for his forceful engagement product groups.“
Prof. Imfeld retires - Prof. Attin new head of Zurich pH-telemetry station
After the retirement of Prof. Thomas for clinical research on the tooth- the world”, says Thomas Attin, a profes- Imfeld, Prof. Thomas Attin has been ap- friendliness of foodstuff and the efficacy sor at the University’s Dental Institute pointed as the new head of the Zurich of oral care products. To this date, who took over the supervision of the University pH-telemetry laboratory. The pH-telemetry is regarded in human test station after the retirement of Prof. Swiss lab is one of the three accredited volunteers as the only reliable method Thomas Imfeld in December 2012. stations worldwide to test foods and to detect whether a food product has a beverages with regard to their tooth- cariogenic and/or erosive potential. In order to evaluate the tooth-friend- friendliness. liness of foods and food ingredients, “Closing the station was not an option plaque acid levels are measured by a Prof. Imfeld established a laboratory for us as the test facilities are relevant pH electrode mounted in a removable that achieved international recognition for confectionery manufacturers all over dental prosthesis. During chewing and up to 30 minutes after consumption of the respective product, the plaque pH should not drop below the critical level of 5.7.
Prof. Thomas In total, only three university institutes Attin (left) is the worldwide are eqipped to perform new head of the such tests. Besides Zurich, pH-telemetry Zurich telemetry measurements are done at the Univer- station after the sity of Witten/Herdecke in Germany and retirement of at Beijing University Dental Hospital in Prof. Thomas China. A further station is planned to be Imfeld. opened next year in Bangkok, Thailand.
4 Toothfriendly News | 1/2014 news roundup
TI around the World
Germany, IDS Last March, Toothfriendly International participated at the 35th International Dental Show, the most important trade show of the dental industry taking place in Cologne (Germany) and gathering over 100‘000 visitors from all over the world.
Laia Grao (left) and Claudia Uebelmann are the newcomers in Toothfriendly team. New faces at Toothfriendly
The Toothfriendly team has taken on New Swiss manager Claudia Uebel- a few new faces. In June we found mann couldn’t have chosen a better Laia Grao who moved from Spain to time to jump aboard at Aktion Zahn- Turkey, FDI Switzerland recently. Laia is motivated freundlich, the Swiss Toothfriendly Last August, over to expand the Toothfriendly spirit in Association. After three successful 16,000 dental pro- the Spanish-speaking world: one of decades in confectionery certification, fessionals visited her first assignments was to present the association now plans to widen the Toothfriendly Toothfriendly at the Confitexpo fair in its horizon in the field of Swiss caries booth at the annual FDI World Dental Guadalajara, Mexico. prevention. Congress held in Istanbul.
FLABEL-study: Visual labels have best effect on consumer behaviour
Visual cues have the best chances to be noticed on the product label – simply because most consumers do not bother with scienti- fic jargon.
Research carried out by the Food Labelling to Advance Better Education for Life (FLABEL) project – an EU-funded project which explored the impact of Mexico, Confitexpo Last July, Tooth- food labelling among consumers in friendly joined forces with Beneo and Europe – states the obvious: consumers Palsgaard at Confitexpo, the trade show are not very interested in nutritional that gathers the Latin American confec- information. The results, say the researchers: tionery industry under one roof. • the average length of time peo- The FLABEL researchers came from ple look at a particular package a wide range of leading European is not long – about 1 second! research organisations, including ten • Only 10% of the people actually look universities, as well as retailers. In one at the nutrition label at all. study the researchers sent people into one of a number of test stores with a Dr. Albert Bär, Director of Toothfriendly shopping list and an eye tracking de- International, agrees: “Most consumers vice - so that the researchers could see just don’t take the time to read the exactly which parts of the labels people small print. They prefer simple visual were actually looking at and for how cues over complicated claims and res- long they looked at them. pond to them better.”
1/2014 | Toothfriendly News 5 ingredients
Can stevia candies overcome the taste barrier?
In the past three years, stevia has made headlines as it takes mar- ket share from aspartame and other intense sweeteners, driven by consumers’ interest in natural-source sweetness. In the confectionery market, Ricola joined the users of stevia last year when introducing its licorice-flavoured lozenge on the German market.
Other stevia-converts include based table-top sweeteners Pastiglie Leone, an Italian manu- say that they are plain awful. facturer of traditional hard-boiled candies and German Ragolds with So far confectionery companies have its re-launch of sugar-free Velamints. used two approaches to overcome the taste barrier: limiting the use of stevia in Common to all three products is the the product formulation to minuscule prominent use of claim “sweetened amounts or choosing liquorice-like with stevia” on the product label. flavours to mask the aftertaste. Intense sweeteners are still a dark cloud for some consumers, and the fact that Some even claim to be highly success- stevia is a zero-calorie sweetener that is ful in masking the stevia notes: “Our not “artificial” decides it for them. stevia products have been a sales bomb beyond our rosiest expectations”, con- However, stevia still has one key barrier firms Morena Mistrangelo of Pastiglie – taste. Stevia lends an aftertaste that Leone. “In fact, we are about to expand some compare with liquorice, and most the product range with new flavours in consumers who have tasted stevia- 2014.”
EFSA backs dental health claim for Nutriose®
French ingredient company Roquette’s soluble fibre Nutriose® has received a favourable opinion from EFSA concerning a 13.5 health claim. According to EFSA’s panel, Nutriose® could aid tooth mineralization when replacing fermentable carbohydrates.
The specific claim for which EFSA is- high-calorie products such as biscuits. sued a favourable opinion states that: In confectionery applications, Nutri- ose is particularly suitable for use in „Consumption of food/drinks sugar-free, low-calorie jellies and gums. containing “non-fermentable” carbo- Nutriose® has been confirmed as «safe hydrates instead of sugar may help for teeth» by Toothfriendly Interna- maintain tooth mineralisation by tional more than two decades ago. decreasing tooth demineralisation”. Sophie Chesnoy, Nutriose Deve- In order to bear the claim, foods lopment Manager, points out that: or beverages containing Nutri- ose® should not lower plaque “Roquette proactively supports and Article 13.5 health claims pH below 5.7 during and up to promotes the recognition of its pro- Claims based on new scientific 30 minutes after consumpti- ducts’ health benefits. This is our first data. Article 13.5 of the regulation on, nor lead to dental erosion. health claim application and EFSA’s states: new health claims may be opinion is an encouragement to us to included in the list of claims alrea- Nutriose® is a tasteless dextrin make headway on other projects. Our dy authorised on the basis of the derived from wheat and maize con- priority is innovation for the benefit of submission to and for assessment taining up to 85 per cent fibre. It was our customers and the health of the by EFSA of a scientific dossier. developed to replace sugar in consumer.”
6 Toothfriendly News | 1/2014 product novelties
Original mints enter Hong Kong
Sanotact has introduced a new mint range branded „Impact Original“ in South East Asia. The mints come in three flavors - spearmint, peppermint and strong mint. Spiced up with xylitol, calcium and magnesium, the mints are guaranteed Toothfriendly.
Smint goes straw- Kervan expands berry in Spain No Suga in Turkey Kervan muscles into the mastic chew- Spain and UK are the first markets to ing gum market dominated by Falim introduce the new juicy strawberry (Mondelez) in Turkey. With the introduc- flavor of Perfetti van Melle‘s flagship tion of several new flavors, No Suga is dental micro mints. The sugar-free, forging a strong presence in kiosks and Toothfriendly-certified Smint brand is food stores selling the single-wrapped currently available in 22 countries. gums.
Jutejia guards teeth in China
China saw the launch of another Toothfriendly-certified candy last year. „Teeth Guard“ from Shenzhen-based Jutejia comes in four fruity flavors and was introduced to the market last June.
Plop is no flop in Ecuador Mentos with core What began as a popular lollipop for benefits in Sweden kids has evolved into a stylish chewing gum concept for young adults in Perfetti van Melle is expanding its Ecuador. Sugar-free and Toothfriendly- Toothfriendly Mentos Gum range with certified Plop gums wrapped in new flavors and formats. The XL-sized elegant black labels is a good example Fruit Core gums contain a juicy filling of the rapid development of the Latin with apple powder and xylitol crystals. American gum market.
1/2014 | Toothfriendly News 7 private label
Toothfriendly private label awards
If you outsource your confectionery production, you want to start with the very best private label manufacturers. There are many low-cost manufacturers out there, but we have narrowed it down to five with top-notch Toothfriendly qualifications.
Best hard-boiled candies: F.Hunziker
Hard-boiled sweets, in almost every possible shape and colour – that is the key competence of F.Hunziker, a private label manufacturer who has supplied Switzerland’s biggest supermarket chain Migros since Best kids‘ product: 1945. The company is known for its innovative product concepts. For Best overall concept: Zile example, F.Hunziker holds a patent for a candy formula that is pH- Roelli Roelli Confectionery manufacturers have neutralising and remineralising, and often struggled when it comes to developing “sugar-free” product for- has developed an award-winning Need a whole product concept and mulations in children’s category. The anti-halitosis candy. someone to design it for you? Roelli Swiss toffee specialist Zile proves Roelli is your one-stop confectione- them wrong: the company has been ry shop for all things sweet from a successfully producing sugar-free single source. The two brothers that and Toothfriendly-certified chewy co-manage the company – Kristofer candies for Migros since nearly and Andreas Roelli – claim to carry two decades. The single-wrapped every product type, every recipe and Smams toffees not just taste great every packaging. After being twenty but also fulfill the parents’ desire for years in business, the Roelli brothers healthier sweets. have managed to set themselves apart on something more than price alone: a recognisable, distinctive profile. Best chewing gums: Chocolat Frey Best medicated candy:
As opposed to what you might Domaco expect from the name, Chocolat Frey produces some of the world‘s finest Sometimes it takes more than sugar chewing gums for both the Swiss to make the medicine go down. and international consumers. In Thanks to its GMP Swissmedic certi- Switzerland the company boasts an fication, Domaco is able to produce impressive market share of 43% with sugar-free OTC lozenges and other its private label gums produced for sweets in accordance with legal Migros. All chewing gums are sugar- regulations for pharmaceuticals, or free, and – when needed – come relevant country-specific regulati- with a Toothfriendly certificate. ons.
8 Toothfriendly News | 1/2014 private label
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1. Bonherba candies (Migros) by F. Hunziker 2. Skai chewing gum (Migros) by Chocolat Frey 3. Doc‘s chewing gum (Denner) by Roelli Roelli 4. Natterman lo- zenges by Domaco 5. Smams chewy candies (Migros) by Zile 1
Swiss Migros leads the way
It is not a coincidence that all award-winning private label manufacturers come from Switzerland. When the sugar-free confectionery segment was booming in the 1990’s, the leading Swiss supermarket chain Migros made a strategic decision to signpost its complete sugar-free confectionery range with the Toothfriendly seal. Admittedly, Migros was not the first retailer to offer Toothfriendly-certified products, nor were its private label products always particularly innovative. But the strategic decision of Migros was significant for two reasons: first, it sky-rocketed the Swiss consumer awareness of the Toothfriendly seal to over 80% in no time; and second, it reveals how strong retailers can change the rules for a whole industry. Today, over 90% of all Swiss chewing gums and around 80% of all hard-boiled candies carry the Toothfriendly seal. The country boasts an impressive sugar-free confectionery segment compared to other European nations. After Spanish consumers, the Swiss are the most likely ones to grab the sugarless product on the confectionery aisle. Such health- consciousness has undoubtedly its roots in the decision of Migros to support the Toothfriendly campaign in Switzerland.
1/2014 | Toothfriendly News 9 review
Celebrating 30 Years of Toothfriendly Certification
Last year marked the thirtieth anniversary of the launch of the first Toothfriendly-certified pro- ducts. In the past three decades, the Toothfriendly logo has found its way into many new markets and product groups.
1982 Association In 1982, four University 1982 Test center Dental Institutes established In 1982, the first pH-teleme- the association Aktion Zahn- try test institute was opened freundlich (« Toothfriendly at the University of Zurich Action »). The goal was to to enable the measurement label Toothfriendly sweets of toothfriendly products in with the eye-catching Happy human volunteers. Tooth logo.
1992 Asia 2001 Charity In 2001, the first Tooth- In 1992, the Toothfriendly friendly social project was logo made its big debut in initiated in Turkey. Disler Asia. New action groups were Yolunda («Every tooth established in South Korea is alright») provides free and Japan, and later also in dental care and educa- China. tion for underprivileged children.
2005 Dental products In 2005, the first tooth brush 2008 Pacifiers and toothpaste were labelled In 2008, the first pacifier was with the Toothfriendly seal. To certified as Toothfriendly. A make sure that each pro- 27-month comparative study duct is safe and effective, an demonstrated that a pacifier independent Advisory Board named Dentistar does not evaluates each case to ensure provoke open-bite because it that manufacturer’s claims are reduces the pressure on jaw backed up by reliable scientific and teeth. evidence.
10 Toothfriendly News | 1/2014 1983 First candies In 1983, the first candies 1989 Europe and chewing gums with the In 1989, a new Toothfriendly logo appeared association – Tooth- on the Swiss market. One friendly International of the early innovators was – was established to Ricola, a manufacturer of license the Tooth- sugar-free herb drops. Today, friendly trademark to Ricola successfully exports companies outside its Toothfriendly lozenges to the Swiss borders. over 50 countries.
2004 Dentists Since 2004, dental profes- sionals have the possibility of becoming supporting members. Today, the national Toothfriendly associations count over 1000 individual members worldwide.
2010 Beverages 2008 Fluoridated salt In 2010, the first successful In 2008, the Toothfriendly Toothfriendly beverage was logo appeared as endorse- introduced by the German ment on the first fluoridated baby nutrition specialist salt product in Germany. Hipp. Hipp’s baby teas are Fluoride demonstrably sweetened with isomaltulo- strengthens tooth enamel se, a non-laxative carbohy- and reduces the harmful drate which is guaranteed effects of plaque. Toothfriendly.
1/2014 | Toothfriendly News 11 Posterlogo-2009-D-S-F-GB 10.12.2008 13:43 Uhr Seite 4
Guaranteed toothfriendly.
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