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Mentos has expanded its UK sharing bag portfolio with the launch of Sour Tones, a new range of sour-flavoured fruit chews.

Available in 150g stand-up pouches, the range combines strawberry, orange and green apple varieties. Each chew is designed to deliver an initial sour taste followed by a sweeter fruit flavour.

The company said the launch also responds to growing demand for sour confectionery, which it claims is expanding at more than 4.5 times the rate of the wider market.

Victoria Gibson, junior brand manager for Mentos at Perfetti Van Melle, said: “Sour Tones is a significant opportunity for retailers to tap into two powerful trends at once: the continued growth of sharing formats and the Gen Z appetite for bolder, more exciting flavours.”

Sour Tones launched exclusively at Sainsbury’s in July and is set to roll out across the wider grocery channel. The sweets are vegan-friendly and made with natural colours.