The Sweets & Snacks Expo opened today (June 22) with the unveiling of its Most Innovative New Product Awards. The former Candy Show, which has called Chicago home for decades and skipped last year, is in Indianapolis this year through Friday.
"The Most Innovative New Product Awards continue to highlight the innovation that pushes our industry forward, and we celebrate the creativity that makes the confectionery and snack categories shine," said John Downs, president and CEO of the National Confectioners Assn., which stages the show.
Submitted products were judged by retail and category thought leaders from top retailers including Costco, Walgreen’s and 7-Eleven. The awards attracted more than 300 entries and recognized 55 products in 11 categories as well as Best in Show and Small Business Innovator.
Best in Show was Ferrara Candy Co.'s Nerds Gummy Clusters. Small Business Innovator was BranchOut for Banana Bites. The category winners are:
* Chocolate: Hershey Co. – Reese’s Big Cup with Pretzels
* Non-Chocolate: Mederer U.S.A. Inc. – efrutti Bakery Shoppe Bag
* Gum & Mints: Perfetti Van Melle USA Inc. – Mentos Gum Paperboard Bottle
* Salty Snacks: Wonderful Pistachios – Wonderful Pistachios No Shells Sea Salt & Vinegar
* Sweet Snacks: TruFru LLC – Nature’s Strawberries Hyper-Chilled Frozen Fresh in White Chocolate & Milk Chocolate
* Meat Snacks: Pure Jerky Co. – Tripi’s Sweet Spicy Original
* Savory Snacks: Indiana Import LLC – Torti Max
* Novelty/Licensed – Candy & Snacks: Pez Candy Inc. – Harry Potter Back Pack Clips with Mystery Flavor PEZ Candy
* Seasonal – Candy & Snacks: Ferrara Candy Co. – Nerds Candy Corn
* Gourmet/Premium – Candy: TruFru LLC – Nature’s Pineapple Pina Colada Hyper-Chilled Fresh and Immersed in White Chocolate and Coconut
* Gourmet/Premium – Snacks: Crack Corn – The Original Ultra-Premium Puff Corn.
