Distributor Petty Wood is hoping to recreate the “huge success” of Slim Fruits in Australia, with the first listings in UK supermarkets expected “shortly”.

The acacia-based ­pastilles, which are sugar, fat and gluten-free, are available in peach melba and rhubarb & strawberry flavours, and launched in Australia in 2011.

Petty Wood, which took on UK distribution of the Ferndale confectionery brand this month, said it would aim to build on Slim Fruits’ success in Holland & Barrett and Boots by targeting the major supermarkets.

The public debate about “the evils of sugar” made this the perfect time to drive sales to the supermarkets, claimed senior brand manager Gavin Tarrant.

“We have already seen many initiatives from the multiple retailers in response to these concerns, and Slim Fruits is the ideal product to help deliver their goals,” he said, with confirmation of the first supermarket listings expected “shortly”.

Petty Wood’s existing confectionery portfolio includes sugar-free sweets brand Sulá, Thorntons and Werther’s Original.

Speaking to The Grocer last month, Werther’s owner Storck said concerns over sugar were driving interest in low and no sugar confectionery.

“Research shows that one in three Brits are more or less on a ­permanent diet, and there has been rapid growth in sugar-free ­confectionery offerings,” added Storck sales ­director Andy Mutton.

Topics