Chocolate products are generally prone to oxidation, particularly those containing high levels of milk or fat, making them deteriorate quickly.
In a statement released today Slovenian-based company Vitiva claims Inolens 12 is an alternative to synthetic antioxidants because it uses all natural ingredients and is allergen-free.
It also claims the ingredient can be added without altering the taste or smell of the chocolate product.
Inolens 12 was tested on handmade chocolate pralines, however Vivita says it can be used in other confectionery products such as toffee sauce and those containing nut pieces.
The company says it is a ready-to-use formulation that is added to the fat during manufacturing, such as the cocoa powder, sugar, or powdered milk.
Vitiva's Inolens is a range of odour-reduced rosemary extracts for slowing the oxidation of foods.
It is carnosic acid and antioxidant-based but the bitterness is considerably reduced and the rosemary flavour is mild making it suitable for a variety of products, without altering its taste.
With the government pushing for food manufacturers to become more aware of their ingredients, and more awareness to what the public are consuming, natural preservatives and additives, such as rosemary, are becoming more sought after.
The market for rosemary extracts is already healthy.
Suspicion over chemical-derived synthetic preservatives has pushed food makers to source natural preservatives such as rosemary extract instead, and market analysts Global Information pitch the global food preservative market at €422.7bn, reaching €522bn by 2008.
Vitiva's other two rosemary extract lines are Ursole, primarily for cosmetic uses, and AquaRox, a water-soluble extract rich in rosmarinic acid that is mainly aimed at supplements and nutraceuticals.
Vitiva said that its full range of deodorised rosemary extracts is available in a wide range of concentrations.
These pure extracts are soluble in oil or water, and are available in powder and liquid forms.
The product will be launched at this year's IFT Anuual Meeting and Food Expo, held in Chicago, July 28th to August 1st.