Nestle launches a new chocolate bar using sugar-reduction technology - CNBC

The food giant Nestle unveiled its first chocolate bar that showcases the company's new sugar reduction technology.

The firm announced in 2016 that its researchers had managed to change the structure of sugar using only natural ingredients.

Milkybar Wowsomes are being advertised with 30 percent less sugar and go on sale in the United Kingdom and Ireland next week. The white chocolate bar will contain no artificial sweeteners.

Nestle said in a press release Tuesday that its scientists created "an aerated, porous sugar that dissolves more quickly in the mouth."

It's made by spraying a mixture of sugar, milk powder and water into warm air. "The milk stabilizes the spray-dried sugar and stops it becoming too sticky", Nestle added.

The Swiss multinational claimed that its patented process will allow those eating the chocolate to taste the same sweetness but using less sugar.

The company said it now plans to apply the technology to more children's chocolate brands.

The sweets are being introduced in countries where lawmakers have been applying pressure on food manufacturers to reduce levels of sugar. A sugary drinks levy is a separate U.K. government initiative due to begin on April 6.

"We announced earlier this month that we have taken out more than 60 billion calories and 2.6 billion teaspoons of sugar from across our food and drink portfolio in the last three years," said Stefano Agostini, CEO of Nestle UK & Ireland.

Meanwhile, Nestle is exiting the U.S. candy market. It agreed in January to sell its operations there to Italian rival Ferrero SpA for $2.8 billion.

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