Healthier chocolate sauce?

Da Vinci Gourmet, maker of flavored syrups for specialty coffee and tea drinks and sodas, is introducing a sugar-free, low carbohydrate chocolate sauce.

The sauce is made using Splenda brand sweetener, an alternative sweetener made from real sugar. Splenda is safe for diabetics, nursing and pregnant mothers.

The new low carb chocolate sauce will be available in cafes, coffee houses and through Da Vinci's website. It can be used in coffee drinks, such as mochas, hot cocoas, in a shake or for baking.

The company suggests that around 40 per cent of the US population, based on a medical condition such as diabetes or because of a voluntary weight loss program such as the Atkins Diet, is seeking sugar free, low carb food alternatives.

Tracy Ging, director of marketing at Da Vinci Gourmet, said: "There is such a strong demand for truly delicious sugar free options. Our research tells us that this product really addresses a sweet spot with a large percentage of the population."​