Product Launch Analytics (PLA) continually conducts a global search to find what it deems to be the most inventive consumer products.
Beneo and Alpi, a confectionery company from Bulgaria, have produced the Deo Perfume Candy and claim that when the sweets are consumed, the skin emits rose oil components contained in the confectionery product in the form of an ingredient called geraniol.
“We have seen a handful of chewing gum products in Japan that have been formulated with geraniol and have had a body fragrancing benefit,” PLA director Tom Vierhile explained.
Beyond gum, this is the only other category to have a product with any kind of body fragrancing feature, according to the analyst, and he stated it is too soon to say whether or not something like this could create a new niche market for itself.
“But it is certainly an intriguing idea; we will have to see if similar products start emerging around the globe.”
Beneo says the concept was developed as part of its R&D efforts to assist candy manufacturers in using healthy, alternative and innovative food ingredients to break new ground in confectionery markets worldwide.
Fragrance released through skin
According to Beneo, once the candy has been consumed a rose fragrance is then released through the skin.
It is claimed to be caused by the ingredient geraniol, which is a colourless liquid found in plants such as rose, lavender and vanilla.
Once the natural antioxidant, geraniol is consumed in candy form, it is said to leave the body through the pores, creating a naturally sweet smell that is claimed to last for hours.
Works in similar way to garlic
Beneo explains that the effect is very similar to the familiar way a pungent ingredient such as garlic transmits odour through the skin.
In the case of garlic, strong-smelling sulfur compounds form Allyl Methyl Sulfide, which cannot be digested and is instead excreted through the pores.
The Deo candy is also made with Beneo's natural sugar replacer Isomalt, meaning that it does not contribute to elevated blood sugar levels.
Because Isomalt dissolves slowly, the company claims there is a prolonged taste of the rose flavour in the mouth, in addition to the even longer-lasting fragrance effect on the body.