Devon's first totally sugar-free biscuits have come off the production lines and are being launched under the Healthline trademark.

This is good news for people following a healthy diet and life style, for diabetics, vegetarians and those following a cholesterol-free diet, the manufacturers say.

Joe Pace, managing director of Consolidated Biscuit Co. Ltd, manufacturers of the Devon range of products, explained that the company felt there was a strong demand for this kind of product for both the Maltese market and its major export business in the Middle East, were the incidence of diabetes is relatively high.

According to the Diabetics Association, there are over 30,000 persons in Malta diagnosed with this condition.

In 2003, Consolidated Biscuit struck a technological cooperation agreement with Alwin Scholze, a German leading food chemist who also manufactures and markets his own sugar-free products.

Unlike most of the sugar-free products on the market, the Healthline tea biscuits are produced by the latest technology in sucrose substitution. One can hardly notice the difference in taste and flavour from a regular biscuit, a company spokesman said.

Prior to the launch, extensive consumer panel research was conducted and lab tests were carried out in Malta and in Germany to ensure that the product meets the required quality standards.

Consolidated Biscuit said its skilled and experienced bakers use only the best ingredients to bake daily high quality fresh biscuits for local and export markets. This philosophy has seen them breaking successfully into many overseas markets in recent years.

The new sugar-free lines are expected to be as successful overseas as the other product lines, Mr Pace said.