The 2012 International Sweets and Biscuits Fair (ISM) took place in Cologne this week. About 80 journalists from all over the world participated in a poll to select the top three innovations presented at the expo's New Product Showcase. Three winners were selected from 112 new products from 78 competing companies...

1. First prize went to Cavalier, a Belgian chocolate producer with its range of semi-sweet chocolates sweetened with stevia (approved for use in Europe late last year), that it developed with supplier, Barry Callebaut.

Since then this innovation has been further refined, and now there is a complete assortment of products that includes pralines, chocolate bars and flat chocolate bars. The concept was impressing, for reasons including the high quality of the products.

Cavalier is aimed at chocolate lovers "who want to or have to avoid sugars either to enjoy chocolate in a healthier manner, to keep in shape or for medical reasons, but without compromising on taste".

http://www.cavalier.be/

2. Second place went to German snack company, ültje, for ültje Crispers in curry sausage and hamburger flavours, peanuts with a crust in curry sausage and hamburger flavours, which will be available just in time to be enjoyed by fans watching the European Football Championship.

http://www.ueltje.de

3. Third spot went to the famous Austrian PEZ International for its new PEZ soft, a fun new dispensing option. These soft candies feature natural flavouring and colouring agents and are gluten-free and lactose-free. The action is provided by the dispenser which shoots the fruity bonbons straight into a user's mouth [and hopefully does not choke them!].

http://www.pez.at

See how the product works on this YouTube video:

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All the new products can be viewed on the ISM website: click here