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Low-Cal Syrups: First came low-calorie diet preserves. Now, Knott’s Berry Farm has introduced five flavors of pancake syrup with half the calories of its regular versions.

But unlike the preserves, the new syrups do not depend on the popular artificial sweetener Nutrasweet to reduce their calories. The syrups simply have half the sugar, so the calories can be reduced to 45 to 50 per ounce.

“Market research indicates that more consumers are opting for lighter, more healthful breakfasts,” said Ronald G. Bennett, vice president and general manager of Knott’s Berry Farm Foods in Placentia. The syrups will come in apricot, boysenberry, blueberry and apple cinnamon flavors. There is also a maple flavor, but Knott’s calls it “country” because it doesn’t have enough maple syrup content (only 3%) to meet federal requirements for use of the term “maple.”