In recent years organic sugar confectionery products have appeared in the candy selection. What is exciting about organic confectionery is the big difference in ingredients compared to “conventional” candy. Use of the following ingredients are prohibited in organic candy: synthetic colorants and flavourings, artificial sweeteners or preservatives, unsustainably produced palm oil and trans fats. All the nice colors and good flavours come from organic fruits, plants and berries. With regard to the other ingredients, 95% must be organically grown.
As well, several Swedish companies have focused on fine organic chocolate and other forms of more wholesome sweets such as organic bars, organic dried fruits, nuts, almonds and chips. These products are commonly sold as snacks to consumers on the go. They are treats that can be eaten with a good conscience!
Renée Voltaire
A company that tries to satisfy the sweet tooth of Swedes in a conscientious way is Renée Voltaire, whose range consists of both organic and vegan candy, lozenges, bars and chocolates in exclusive packaging. Amongst other things, there are highly appreciated packages of chocolate covered dried raspberries and blueberries, chocolate made of hemp or coconut milk, bars made with almonds and cocoa, and liquorice or herb flavored lozenges.
Ekorrens Organic
Ekorrens Ekologiska is another company within the same market segment, but unlike Renée Voltaire, it only produces candy. Since it was founded in 2008, the company has gradually broadened its range of organically certified products, which currently includes several candy mixes ranging from wine gums and jelly hearts to marshmallow bicycles and liquorice bites, wine gums and liquorice to chocolate and bars.
JOM
For those who like organic, gluten-free, vegan and nicely packaged candy, a new company, JOM, is worth keeping an eye on. The company was started (and is currently run) by the sibling duo Anna and Josefin who after eight years in the candy industry realized that they wanted to develop candy products in a more conscientious manner. The result was JOM (Just One More), a tasty treat with a perfect consistency, that is also made entirely in Sweden.
Malmö Chocolate Factory
Within the confectionery and candy segment, chocolate is the favorite of Swedes. This is reflected in statistics by Euromonitor showing that Sweden ranks in sixth place in the world for consumption of chocolate per capita. Malmö Chokladfabrik, with its prizes from the International Chocolate Awards amongst others, can be regarded as one of Sweden’s leading chocolate producers. With their creative flavor combinations and exclusive packaging designs, their products stand out on store shelves. In addition, most of Malmö Chocolate Factory’s products are organic, Fairtrade certified and free from gluten, soy, nuts and other allergens. All the dark chocolate bars in their assortment are vegan.
Eguale
Another pioneer in the chocolate segment is Eguale, the first in the Swedish market to offer both Fairtrade and certified organic chocolate bars. Their chocolate bars are organic, gluten free, free from artificial additives and preservatives, and the dark chocolate bars are also vegan. Just as their brand name states, Eguale was founded based on a vision of a more fair chain of commerce where everyone involved, from farmers to final consumers, are part of a chain where social and environmental sustainability is self-evident.
Nathalie’s Direct Trade
Nathalie’s Direct Trade offers organic dried fruit such as mango, pineapple, banana and physalis. The fruit is bought directly from farmers in Colombia and is dried and packaged there as well, which creates local jobs and benefits the local economy. Nathalie’s products contain no added sugar or traces of nuts nor milk. The dried fruit can be eaten as it is or is good in muesli, baking and desserts.
Smiling Group
Like Nathalie’s Direct Trade, Smiling Group helps create jobs and strengthen local communities in the countries where their raw materials are grown, harvested and processed. Sustainable, local development is created by purchasing raw materials directly from the farmers and refining them locally. All products are Fairtrade-certified and to a large extent also organic. Cashew nuts from West Africa make up the core of the company’s range, but they also produce peanuts, coconut chips, dried mango, drinks, juices and bars.
Get Raw
Another company working to develop good, nutritious and sustainable snacks is Get Raw. Their organic bars are made of natural ingredients such as dates, cashew nuts, hazelnuts, cocoa, raspberry powder and vanilla. In addition, Get Raw’s products are vegan, gluten-free, free from refined sugar and minimally processed to preserve as many nutrients as possible. Their range currently consists of four flavours: raspberry & almond, chocolate & walnut, liquorice & almond, and caramel & hazelnut.
Svenska LantChips
A company that has played a big part in shaping Swedes’ consumption of snacks is Svenska LantChips. The company was established over 25 years ago with an ambition to renew the crisp market. Unlike their major competitors, they chose small-scale manufacturing according to a traditional production process where the starch and skin give the crisps a unique character. Their organic assortment consists of three kinds of potato crisps: salted, sour cream and rosemary, as well as vegetable crisps made from red beets, carrots, parsnips and potatoes.