Sweets and Snacks Expo honours the best global confectionery ranges
An array of creative confectionery and snacks items were placed under the spotlight for the new product awards at this year’s Sweets and Snacks Expo in Chicago, US.
More than 300 items were entered for consideration across the categories. Judges evaluated products based on their taste, packaging, innovation and go-to-market feasibility.
A panel of judges representing retail leaders in the confectionery and snack category evaluated products in nine categories: chocolate, non-chocolate, sweet, salty, savoury, novelty, seasonal, gourmet/premium, and gum & mints.
“Innovative new products generate fun and excitement for consumers which is key to building a satisfying and compelling shopper experience,” John Downs, president and CEO of the National Confectioners Association, said. “The companies highlighting their new products should feel proud of what they have created and their impact, which drives category growth in our vibrant industry.”
In addition to awards in each of the nine categories, the Most Innovative New Product Awards also present a Best in Show award for overall best new product and a Small Business Innovator award that recognises companies with net sales less than $500,000.
The Most Innovative New Product Awards are sponsored by IRi, a market research company that has built a reputation for using integrated data to help CPG, retail and media companies grow their businesses.
“Innovation is always a source of excitement in our industry,” Larry Levin, executive vice president of market and shopper intelligence at IRi, said. “Honouring groundbreaking innovations through the Most Innovative New Product Awards helps companies share that excitement with show attendees, who in turn help build that excitement with consumers in the market. We always look forward to seeing where the winners’ products will take them.”
The 2019 Most Innovative New Product Awards winners and nominees included:
Best in Show:
Ferrara – Trolli Sour Crunchy Crawlers
Small Business Innovator:
Newfangled Confections, LLC – Classic Peanut Frittle
Nominees:
Flamethrower Candy Company – Ghost Pepper Hard Candy
Pols Gıda Dış Ticaret A.Ş – Freeze Fresh/Strawberry
Praim Group – Keto Krisp Almond Butter
The Cookie Joint – Original Shortbread Cookie Fries
Chocolate Winner:
The Hershey Company – KIT KAT Duos Mint + Dark Chocolate
Nominees:
ChocXO Chocolatier – ChocXO PB & Ruby Cups
The Hershey Company – Reese’s Thins Milk Chocolate
Ferrero USA, Inc. – Kinder Bueno
OCHO Candy – Organic PB&J Candy Bar
Non-Chocolate Winner:
Just Born Quality Confections – Lemon and Marshmallow Flavored Jelly Beans
Nominees:
Haribo of America, Inc. – HARIBO Watermelon
Mars Wrigley Confectionery U.S., LLC – Starburst Duos Fruit Chews
Bazooka Candy Brands, a Division of The Topps Company – Ring Pop Gummy Gems
Justin’s – Justin’s Organic Almond Butter Covered Almonds & Justin’s Organic Cashew Butter Covered Cashews
Sweet Snacks Winner:
Tru Fru LLC – Whole Raspberries Freshly Frozen & Immersed in Premium White and Milk Chocolate
Nominees:
Kellogg Company – Rice Krispies Treats Snap Crackle Poppers
Alli & Rose – Tropical Fields Half Dipped Mango
SPI West Port Inc. – Woodridge Snacks Ginger Chews – Sesame Seed
Alli & Rose – Munchelo Drizzled Trail Mix Crackers
Salty Snacks Winner:
Kellogg Company – Cheez-It Snap’d
Nominees:
Sahale Snacks LLC – Sahale Snacks Pineapple Rum Cashew Coconut Snack Mix
Kellogg Company – Pringles Wavy
Sahale Snacks LLC – Sahale Snacks Cherry Cocoa Almond Coconut Snack Mix
A’mond Snacks – Smokehouse, Honey Chipotle, Cheddar
Savoury Snacks Winner:
Mondelez International, Inc – Triscuit Wheatberry Clusters – Pumpkin Seeds & Sweet Corn
Nominees:
Alli & Rose – SnakYard Shiitake Mushrooms
Riffs Smokehouse – BACON-ON-THE-GO Thai Curry
Specialty Cheese Company, Inc. – Just The Cheese Aged Cheddar Bars
Sun Tropics, Inc. – Island Saba Banana Chips – Sweet Chili
Novelty/Licensed Winner:
Jel Sert Company – Sour Patch Kids Twin Tube Freezer Bars
Nominees:
Jel Sert Company – Hostess Dessert Kit – Ding Dongs
Pez Candy, Inc. – PEZ LOL Surprise Mystery Packs
Bazooka Candy Brands, a Division of The Topps Company – Baby Bottle Pop Gummy Blast
CandyRific LLC – Marvel Avengers Fanimation
Seasonal Winner:
Ferrara – Trolli Sour Brite Candy Corn
Nominees:
The Hershey Company – Reese’s Milk Chocolate and Peanut Butter Lovers Cups
Bazooka Candy Brands, a Division of The Topps Company – Baby Bottle Pop Candy Canes
R.M. Palmer Company – Magical Easter Unicorn
Kopper’s Chocolate – Sparkling Prosecco Cordials
Gourmet Winner:
Tru Fru LLC – Whole Raspberries Freshly Frozen & Immersed in Premium White and Dark Chocolate
Nominees:
Ferrero USA, Inc. – Ferrero Golden Gallery Signature
SoKusa – Lotus Root Crisps
Pear’s Gourmet – Everything Bagel Flavored Cashews
Mars Wrigley Confectionery U.S., LLC – Dove Chocolate Salted Caramel
Gum & Mints Winner:
Ferrero USA, Inc. – Tic Tac X-FreezeTM
Nominees:
Mars Wrigley Confectionery U.S., LLC – Extra Refreshers Spearmint
Perfetti Van Melle USA, Inc. – Mentos Chewy & Fresh
The Hershey Company – Ice Breakers Duo Orange Mints
Ford Gum – Jelly Belly Sugar Free Gum – Very Cherry
