Hacks gets the ‘Ax’

“In the Caribbean there are a lot of coughs and colds that go around during the rainy season and having products like these help,” he said.

The new candy replaces the old time favourite Hacks, which will no longer be sold in the local market. KC began making Hacks in 1987 following a successful merger with Barker and Dobson PLC/England.

“Hacks is a product owned by Cadbury which was a foreign-based product and KC has always been a leader. We signed an agreement with them but after so many years dealing with a company we saw it best to go on our own,” he said.

He explained, the product was introduced last year but had to undergo different tests to get the proper market response.

“You must make some trial runs, it is a medicated candy and the taste is very important to consumers,” he said.

Mohammed said it was important for them to put new products on the market.

“A lot of people are having a lot of viruses and one of the most comforting way to ease a cough is to use these products. The eucalyptus oils and menthol in these candies are good for a cold,” he said.

He pointed out although the world is going through “difficult economic times” their policy remains to launch at least two new products a year.

“Added to the AX candy we also launched a new lollipop called WACKO pop.

It is a pop with two flavours and a gum-filled centre. It is not a regular lollipop and from the response we have had so far it looks like it will be a number one seller,” he said.

Speaking at the launch on the Brian Lara Promenade recently, Sales Manager at KC, Carl Ramdeo said that the new product has more menthol compared to its counterpart.

“We wanted to give it a lot more flavour so we have added more menthol in the candy. Hacks is originally a British product and it has been known to be very bitter and what we have done is reduced the ingredients that give the candy that bitter taste,” he said.

When asked what inspired the name of the new candy, he said: “We wanted to distinguish it as a local product, with AX, you can axe out the cold or axe out that sore throat.”

Ramdeo also explained that AX is not only geared at persons with the flu or flu-like symptoms.

“The candy naturally tastes better so it can be used for an after lunch or dinner sweet or for anyone who wants to just freshen their breath, it is not only for the cold,” he said.

He also pointed out that KC’s sweets have been getting international attention.

“Our ginger toffee recently got an award in Canada under our distributors, Grace Kennedy, for having the best tasting toffee. The ginger mint which is mostly sold overseas has a major following, most people use it for medicinal purposes, it is a favourite because of that,” he said.