India's FMCG industry seems to be riding the health wave. After PepsiCo India reduced salt levels in popular snacks band Kurkure, and Coca-Cola India decided to introduced low sugar products, India's 7500 crore confectionery space is all set to go healthy. But can sweet, delicious candies actually be made healthy?

Candy majors such as ITC and Parle are working on making flavourful, healthier, candies, CNBC TV 18 learns from sources.

ITC, which manufacturers the popular brand, Candyman, is working on launching a vitamin based jelly candy under the brand Jelimals.

This candy will be enriched with vitamin C, zinc and iron, say sources and will be priced a tad higher compared to regular candies.

The candy is likely to be launched all over India in about four to six months.

Parle, which sells popular brand Mango Bite, is all set to launch three variants of 'health' candies.

One of these will be a vitamin C infused candy, which will be available in different fruit flavours such as Orange, Pineapple and Grape.

These are likely to be hard boiled candies at a price point of one rupee.

Parle is also planning 'instant energy' candies and sugar-free candies.

Most of these products will be manufactured in their plant in North India, sources say. The candies are likely to be launched over the next six months.

Data from Euromonitor International shows that the top selling hard boiled candies in India include Candyman, Parle Mango Bite, Alpenliebe and Parle Poppins.

ITC confirmed the story, saying that is planning to launch a vitamin and mineral enriched variant in the jelly space under Jellymals brand. The company already operates in the sugar-free mints space with its Minto brand.

Parle also said it is exploring a new format of healthy candies, which will be launched soon in India.

First Published:Apr 10, 2018 3:11 PM IST