It has been reported that healthier candy may seem like an oxymoron but manufacturers look like they just may be going that route.

Old staples like chocolate, peanut brittle and gummy bears still take up a whole lot of shelf space but if the offerings at the Sweets and Snacks Expo last week in Chicago are any indication, there's real interest in making candy not so bad for you.

Several exhibitors have agreed that it's a matter of ingredients.

It has also been reported that Brookside Foods Ltd. of Abbotsford, British Columbia, has introduced a line of chocolate-covered snacks with pomegranate, acai and blueberry, and goji centers.

Bookside President Ken Shaver said, "We're not saying it's a wonder drug. We're a confectionery firm. But we're using dark chocolate -- that's good for you. And we've got the superfruit juice. And we're using cane sugar, not high fructose corn syrup.

"But the health benefits are not our priority. We're not saying you'll live five years longer if you eat this."

His company is going after the mom who picks up the bag to read the ingredients before buying snacks for her children. American Licorice introduced its Natural Vines, a healthier version of its ubiquitous Red Vines, Michael Kelly of American Licorice Co. of Felton, Calif., said.

Kelly said, "Consumers care more about ingredients now. They're more conscious of ingredients."

The Natural Vines are made with sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup and the red color comes from beet juice instead of red dye.

It was also reported that Goetze's Candy Co. Inc. of Baltimore, which makes bulls' eyes and cow tails, makes its candy with wheat flour, eliminating much of the fat, sodium and cholesterol. (With Inputs from Agencies)