German company Amapharm has developed an innovative delivery method for children's daily vitamins.
The 'YA YA Bear', to be unveiled at the Vitafoods trade show in May, is a bear-shaped gum containing the total daily requirements of nine vitamins for children aged four years and over, claims the company. One bear contains 50 per cent of the European recommended daily allowance of the vitamins.
Amapharm says it has received approval to market the product as a food supplement from the German Health Authorities. It is also to be launched in Luxembourg, Belgium and Serbia during April 2003, and will be available in pharmacies.
New markets currently awaiting approval include the Philippines, Israel, Italy, Switzerland.
The company says that the YA YA Bear will give a fresh impetus to the significant gummy bear market in Europe.
Amapharm has already had success on the US and Canadian market with its high-dose vitamin gummy bear, 'Children's choice'. One Children's choice gummy bear contains 100 per cent of the US recommended daily intake of nine vitamins.
The company also makes the Mafruvit, Efruti and Vitamin-Super-Bär brand low-dose vitamins for the European market.
Amapharm will be presenting the product in the new Finished Product Zone during Vitafoods, at Palexpo, Geneva from 13-15 May 2003.