Chocolate Without The Guilt?
Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe president of Indianapolis-based Choco Finesse LLC says the company’s fat replacement product is "ready for prime-time." David Rowe says Epogee is made from natural fat that has been "tweaked" so it doesn’t release the same amount of calories as the regular stuff. He tells Inside INdiana Business Epogee is different than failed predecessors like Olestra because the product is safer and "we are as close to being natural fat as it’s possible without the body still producing the calories we do."
During an interview with Life Sciences Reporter Kylie Veleta, Rowe says the company has landed its first major customer. The company has reached an agreement with Blommer Chocolate Co., which is considered the largest ingredient chocolate supplier in North America. Blommer is based in the Chicagoland area, home of large candy manufacturers like Mondeléz International Inc., Ferrara Candy Co. and Tootsie Roll Industries Inc.
Choco Finesse says Epogee can replace up to 80 percent of fat in food, dipping calories from fat by 30-40 percent per serving.
Rowe’s experience includes years spent at Indianapolis-based Dow AgroSciences LLC and Eli Lilly and Co. (NYSE: LLY) and his team is made up of scientists from the same companies. The technology was initially developed in the 1990s by Best Foods and ARCO Chemical Co.
You can read more about Epogee in a story that appeared last year in our Life Sciences INdiana newsletter.