Carmit Targets Global Gluten-Free Market with Luscious Chocolate Clusters

TEL-AVIV, Israel, March 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Carmit Goes Gluten-Free with Award-Winning Luscious Chocolate Clusters

Carmit Candy Industries launches a new line of gluten-free chocolate clusters for healthy indulgence at Natural Products Expo West, Anaheim, March 7-9, booth #571. The new line will be available in multiple international markets.

     (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140303/673384 )

"Our new line of gluten-free clusters targets both the mainstream market and the specific niches of people suffering from Celiac Disease/Gluten Intolerance and those following a gluten-free lifestyle," explains Steve Grun, CEO of Carmit. "This has been a strong focus for Carmit over the past decade."

Global confectionery launches with a "gluten-free" positioning increased by 46% in 2013 from 2012, according to Innova Database. While this indicates significant growth in gluten-free claims, gluten-free product-launch activity is still relatively niche for confectionery. Only 7% of confectionery product launches tracked in 2013 filled such positioning.

A cluster is a snack, based on a blend of ingredients that does not have a structured or consistent shape. The gluten-free clusters line includes a wide range of combinations of gluten-free cereals and dried fruits or nuts, and is covered in either chocolate or yogurt. The clusters can be custom packed in different sizes and shapes as private-label for marketers, restaurant chains and retailers, and for on-the-go packages or a multi-pack. All are designed to address a healthy, gluten-free lifestyle.

"We launched the line regionally and gained rapid success in food chains and health-food stores, culminating in our winning the prestigious 'Product of the Year Award' this week," enthuses Adrian Sagman, VP of Export Marketing and Sales for Carmit.

A significant industry challenge is in how to blend cereals such as cornflakes and rice puffs with nuts and/or dry fruits, and bind them with 70% chocolate in a way that the inclusions are not dominated by the chocolate and maintain overall great taste and texture. To achieve this, Carmit conducted a number of trials to hit the perfect balance in percentage of each ingredient and viscosity of the chocolate. The final product is a remarkably rich, bite-sized cluster of crispy cereals and chewy dried fruits, covered in milk or dark chocolate.

About Carmit

Carmit is a leading private-label manufacturer for gluten-free, dairy-free and fortified confectionery and bakery products. Located in Israel, Carmit has a state-of-the art facility that produces chocolate coins, toffee-chews, crème-filled wafers, cookies and lollipops.

Carmit also performs private label development, manufacturing and marketing to North America, Europe and the Pacific Rim. Carmit is large enough to provide customers with economies of scale, while being small enough to be flexible for specialty markets. All products are kosher, GMO-free and can be gluten-free and natural.

Visit us and try them at Natural Products Expo West, Anaheim, booth #571

For further information, please contact:

Company contact
Carmit Candy Industries
Mr. Adrian Sagman, VP International Marketing and Sales
Tel: +972-3-963-7000
E-mail: [email protected]
http://www.carmitcandy.com

Press Contact
NutriPR
Ms. Liat Simha
Tel: +972-9-9742893
E-mail: [email protected]
http://www.nutripr.com

SOURCE Carmit Candy Industries