An ambitious functional food and lifestyle start-up brand, Releeese, has been unveiled for the UK confectionery market, amid notable category expansion, writes Neill Barston.

According to the company, its 70% dark chocolate has claimed a global first in utilising Tagatose and Galactose, the two naturally derived, low glycaemic index sugars at the heart of the patented Intelligent Sugar formula.

This patented offering has been created by sector expert Dr Johannes Coy, amid a considerable boom in ingredients that have responded to a greater array of consumers’ health requirements. 

Indeed, with a growing number of chocolate buyers in particular suffering from food intolerances, manufacturers have been increasingly looking to reformulation measures to offer shoppers the best possible tasting alternatives to conventional snacking series. 

Moreover, the business explained that Tagatose and Galactose have a glycaemic index of 3 and 20 respectively, compared to 65 for conventional sugar. Furthermore, the emerging brand’s 70% Dark Chocolate is also high in fibre, at 19.4g per 100g, a source of Vitamin E as tocotrienols, and made` with no artificial sweeteners and no added fructose, as well as including added polyphenols from natural plant extracts.

The new 70% Dark Chocolate follows the UK launch of Releese’s Milk Chocolate in February 2026, and marks a further step in its ambition to build a broader platform for its product range “Intelligent Indulgence.

In addition, the company has created its own online store, with the new 70% Dark Chocolate available in CLAP KA-FE, Knightsbridge. This is the next step in the venue’s partnership with Releeese, having stocked its chocolate since this Spring.

Ali Ghaidan, Founder of Releeese commented: “Our 70% Dark Chocolate meets the way many people now want to eat: full in flavour, made with quality ingredients, and in step with the growing consumer interest in lower glycaemic index foods and a more considered approach to sugar.”

 “Our partnership with CLAP KA-FE allows guests to enjoy our latest Intelligent Indulgence proposition in one of London’s most refined café settings, which is exactly where we want to be.”