Sweets and Snacks Expo attracts hundreds of new product entries
The recent Sweets & Snacks Expo in the US attracted a total of more than 300 entries for its much-anticipated new product awards, reports Neill Barston.
These highly competitive accolades attract the most innovative candy and snack products and companies for their achievements and latest confectionery ranges.
Though they typically cover only the preceding year, the 2021 awards included products that were introduced to the market over the previous two years due to the cancellation of the awards program in 2020.
The products listed below were judged by retail and category thought leaders from leading retailers like Costco, Walgreens and 7-Eleven.
In total, there were 55 products awarded honours in 11 categories, as well as Best In Show and Small Business Innovator, which recognise the judges’ favourite product and an up-and-coming innovative company, respectively.
Best In Show
Winner: Ferrara | Nerds Gummy Clusters
Small Business Innovator
Winner: BranchOut | Banana Bite
Sweet Snacks
Winner: Tru Fru LLC | Natures Strawberries Hyper-Chilled Fresh in White Chocolate & Milk Chocolate
Nominees:
Galerie | Froot Loop Cereal Straws
Brownie Brittle, LLC | Reese’s Pieces Brownie Brittle
Hostess Brands | Baby Bundts (Lemon Drizzle Flavor)
Las Olas Confections and Snacks | Coco Bites BARE, Original Recipe
Seasonal
Winner: Ferrara Candy Company | Nerds Candy Corn
Nominees:
Sconza Candy Co. | Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Caramels
The Hershey Company | Hershey’s Sugar Cookie Kisses
The Hershey Company | Reese’s Franken-Cup
Second Nature Brands | Dark Chocolate Peppermint Caramels with Sea Salt and Crushed Candy Cane
Salty
Winner: Wonderful Pistachios | Wonderful Pistachios No Shells Sea Salt & Vinegar
Nominees:
Dot’s Pretzels | Dot’s Honey Mustard
Savor Street Foods | Grain Free Pretzels – Roasted Garlic & Herb
Dot’s Pretzels | Cheese Curls
Second Nature Brands | Snack Max Hot Buffalo Mix
Novelty
Winner: Pez Candy, Inc.| Harry Potter Back Pack Clips with Mystery Flavor PEZ Candy
Nominees:
Bazooka Candy Brands, a Division of The Topps Company | Juicy Drop® Gummy Dip N’ Stix
Pez Candy, Inc. | Game of Thrones Gift Tin with Dragonfruit PEZ Candy
Pez Candy, Inc. | Santa Claus PEZ Dispenser Ornament with Sugar Cookie PEZ Candy
Galerie | Mandalorian Gummies & Surprise
Non-Chocolate
Winner: Mederer U.S.A., Inc. | Bakery Shoppe Bag
Nominees:
Morinaga+America,+Inc. | 2.82oz HI-CHEW Plus Fruit Peg Bag
Bazooka Candy Brands, a Division of The Topps Company | Push Pop® Gummy Roll
Haribo of America, Inc. | Funtastic Mix
Haribo of America, Inc. | Rainbow Worms
Meat
Winner: Pure+Jerky+Co | Tripi’s Sweet Spicy Original
Nominees:
Cheesewich Factory| Baconwich
Stoney Point Meats Inc. | Sour Cream and Onion Crispy Jerky Chips
Gum & Mints
Winner: Perfetti Van Melle USA, Inc. | Mentos Gum Paperboard Bottle
Nominees:
Bazooka Candy Brands, a Division of The Topps Company | Bazooka Sugar Free To-Go Cup
Mars Wrigley Confectionery US, LLC | Orbit Gum Mega Pack
Ferrero USA, Inc. | Tic Tac® Tropical Adventure
Gourmet/Premium – Snack
Winner: Crack+Corn | The Original – Ultra-Premium Puff Corn
Nominees:
Diamond K Sweets | Blueberry Pretzel Cheesecake
Popilicious Popcorn | Chocolate Lover’s Mini Gourmet Popcorn Cake
Primary Colors | Crazy Monkey Baking Salted Caramel Granola Bites
Partners, A Tasteful Choice Company | All-American Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread Crackers
Gourmet / Premium Candy
Winner: Tru Fru LLC | Natures Pineapple Pina Colada Hyper-Chilled Fresh and Immersed in White Chocolate and Coconut
Nominees: Las Olas Confections and Snacks Milk | Chocolate French Sea Salt Wildflower Honey Caramel
Second Nature Brands | Organic Dairy-Free Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel
Mars Wrigley Confectionery US, LLC | Dove Hi Cacao 82%
Doscher’s Candies, Inc. | Béquet Celtic Sea Salt Gourmet Caramel Resealable Pouch
Chocolate
Winner: The Hershey Company |Reese’s Big Cup with Pretzels
Nominees:
Ferrero USA, Inc. | Kinder Bueno Mini
Frankford Candy LLC | Fruity Pebbles Candy Bar
The Hershey Company | KIT KAT Thins
Lindt & Sprungli | Classic Recipe Whole Hazelnut Stick
Savory
Winner: Indiana Import LLC | Torti Max
Nominees:
Shrewd Food | Sweet Thai Chili Protein Puffs
Pretzels, Inc. | Almond Butter Filled Pretzels
Cheesewich Factory | Breakfast Taco
Mudlrk Snacks | ROAM Kansas City BBQ Mushroom Crisps
