Edible deodorants: not to be sniffed at?

US company Beneo , which has developed the spooky-sounding sweet with Bulgarian confectioner Alpi , says the product is perfectly safe and, in principle, works the same way as garlic. Both the sweets and garlic contain compounds that can't be broken down by the body, and so are excreted through the skin. In the sweets, the key ingredient is geraniol , a naturally occurring compound found in plants such as roses, lavender and vanilla. Munching on the sugar-free tangerine-flavoured candy will, apparently, turn you into a living perfume atomiser.

US consumers have been snapping up the sweets since they first wenton sale online  in August, despite their bizarre packaging (more reminiscent of feminine hygiene products than snacks) and hefty price tag ($10 for a small bag). The sweets are expected to be sold in shops in the US soon and are already available in Spain, Germany, China, Korea and Armenia. The UK distributor  is currently working with a major high street retailer to prepare the product, appealingly repackaged, for sale in time for next Valentine's Day. Matching flowers and body odour for your special someone. How romantic.

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