Q. Is Mont-Bec Foods a new company ?
A. Mont-Bec Foods came into existence in 1982, through know-how and modern technology. His founder, Jean-Baptiste Boulet had more than 30 years experience as co-owner of Biscuits Montmagny and Bonbons Henry & Fils. Today, Martine and Marc manage the growing family business geared towards offering you the Mont-Bec Advantage.
Q. Where is Mont-Bec Foods located ?
A. Mont-Bec Foods is located in Montmagny, about 100 km (60 miles) from Quebec City on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River. The Montmagny region is renowned for the migration of snow geese.
Q. How do Mont-Bec confections differ from those of other brands ?
A. Mont-Bec confections are made using an innovative process that guarantees consistent weight, longer shelf life (2 years +) and resistance to climatic variations. However, their most pleasing feature is their added value for the price. At equal weight, Mont-Bec confections yield up to 85% more candies than competitive brands.
Q. Where can Mont-Bec confections be found ?
A. In Quebec, Mont-Bec products can be found almost anywhere : supermarket, drugstore and even, restaurant. The popularity of Mont-Bec mints and candies has outgrown provincial borders. If you are unable to find them at a location near you, please contact us.
Q. What is sorbitol ?
A. Sorbitol was first discovered in 1872 by a French chemist in the berries of the mountain ash tree. It occurs naturally in a wide variety of fruits and berries. Sorbitol is part of a group of sweeteners called polyols that provide the sweet sensation of sugar without the calories. Sorbitol has been safely used in processed foods for almost half a century.
Q. What kind of products contain sorbitol or polyols ?
A. Polyols can be found in numerous products including chewing gum, candies, ice cream, pastries and jams. They are also used in toothpaste, mouthwash and other pharmaceutical products such as cough syrup and throat lozenges.
Q. How do calories in sorbitol compare to those of sugar ?
A. Unlike sugar which contributes 4 calories per gram, the caloric contribution of sorbitol is 2.6 calories per gram due to its chemical structure which differs from that of sugar and which body absorbs differently. The lower intake of calories with sorbitol pleases weight-conscious and diabetics alike.
Q. Why is sorbitol useful for people with diabetes ?
A. Sorbitol is slowly and incompletely absorbed from the small intestine into the blood by processes that require little or no insulin to convert to energy. Diabetics may, therefore, eat foods containing sorbitol as they are reduced in calories and cause less increase in blood glucose and insulin levels than do sugar and other carbohydrates.
Q. What is the meaning of "Canadian Diabetes Association Food Choice Value 1 candy (2,25g) = 1 " found on Mont-Bec Sugar Free packages ?
A. This standard has been established by the Canadian Diabetes Association and means that a diabetic can eat Sugar Free Ami-Dents candies at all time, without restriction unless otherwise indicated by a health professional.
Q. Has sorbitol been proven safe ?
A. Sorbitol’s safety is supported by numerous studies and various organizations including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Scientific Committe for Food of the European Union (EU) and the World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) have established « no limits » on its use, the safest level. Also, the American Dental Association recently adopted a position recognizing the important role of polyol-containing foods in maintaining good dental health.
Q. Why does sorbitol not promote tooth decay ?
A. Sorbitol, like other polyols, is resistant to metabolism by oral bacteria which break down sugars and starches to release acids that may lead to cavities or erode tooth enamel. As it is not readily converted to acids by bacteria in the mouth therefore, sorbitol does not promote tooth decay.
Q. Why is it indicated on Mont-Bec Sugar Free packages that " excessive consumption may have a laxative effect " ?
A. For the vast majority of consumers, sorbitol does not cause any side effects. In some more sensitive persons, excessive consumption may cause discomfort similar to reactions to beans and high-fiber foods. These symptoms are, however, mild and temporary and most people adapt as they would to any other high-fiber foods. For the more sensitive persons, it is recommended to gradually increase intake in the diet. As for sorbitol, main ingredient of Mont-Bec sugar free candies, the threshold for excessive consumption has been established at 50g, the equivalent of half a package of candies.
Q. Sugar free products are often bitter, what about Mont-Bec’s ?
A. You will be nicely surprised by Mont-Bec’s sugar free candies Ami-Dents. Mont-Bec chose sorbitol as a sweetener for its distinctive qualities such as its relative sweetening power of 60% that of sugar and its mouth refreshing sensation, with no bitter after-taste.
Q. Does Mont-Bec have products with no artificial flavors or colors ?
A. Our mint flavored candies are made with a natural mint oil and no color is added.