Country Style Malta is launching the world’s first “diet” doughnut which has been approved as suitable for diabetics.

The Malta franchise doughnut will be on its shelves later this month after four years of experimentation.

Country Style Malta managing director Harry B. Purdie, said the franchise management decided to embark on this challenge as no other international coffee and doughnut franchise has ever managed to clinch such a breakthrough.

“This is truly a first for Malta – the doughnut was developed in Malta by a Maltese team for a Maltese franchisee.”

Fluffy, sweet and truly scrumptious, the doughnut tastes no different to an ordinary doughnut and even comes with sugar-free chocolate and strawberry fillings.

With just 195 calories it contains less than half the calories of a normal doughnut and contains greatly reduced fat.

Mr Purdie said, “With our Maltese manufacturing partners, we set out to create a product that would maintain a delicate balance between the unique Country Style taste and sugar elimination.

We have successfully replaced sugar with fructose and ensured the doughnut is suitable for diabetics and early this year, we successfully attained our goals and received the Department of Health’s approval for the product.”