Awards ceremony starts the party for Sweets & Snacks Expo 2026

An anticipatory buzz surrounded the opening of this year’s Sweets and Snacks Expo, as it kicked-off with a host of worthy winners across sweets, gum and chocolate categories, reports Neill Barston.

Confectionery Production attended the opening key highlight, which followed swiftly on the heels of the first afternoon of the event’s supplier showcase, which included around 200 exhibitors across equipment, systems and solutions market segments.

This year, there was a record tally of almost 500 products entered into the awards, underlining how popular it has become within the sector as a valuable spotlight for the broader industry. 

As the NCA noted, the accolades provide a key spotlight for breakthrough innovation, emerging trends and products poised to drive consumer excitement and category growth.

There was a good deal of anticipation surrounding the introduction of two new categories, the Trailblazer award, which was claimed by Mochi Gummies – Dark Chocolate Covered Cherry, from Issei, while on Trailblazing snack was awarded to Belle’s Gourmet Popcorn, for its  Raspberry Rose (Beauty + Glow) Popcorn.

The second new accolade was the powerhouse category, dedicated to some of biggest achievements from leading brand.The candy winner was Warheads Loud Mouth Bites, from CandyRific, and the snack firm to win its respective category was  Dot’s Snack Mix, from The Hershey Company

-This year’s other winners included in the Chocolate category: Alli & Rose Strawberry Moochies | CAL Marketing
– Gourmet/Premium Confections: Freeze Dried Milk + White Chocolate Strawberries | Tru Fru
– Gum & Mints: Bubbilicious Gummy Gum – Strawberry Orange | Perfetti Van Melle
– Gummy Candy: Squashies Sours – Cherry & Apple | Smarties
– Non-Chocolate Candy: Sour Tiniez | Rotten
-Novelty/Licensed: Mashups Candy Salad Kit | 1UP Candy
– Seasonal: Brach’s Crunchy Chewy Jelly Beans | Ferrara
– Meat Snacks: Cinnabon Bakery Inspired Flavored – Bacon Jerky | Wicked Cutz
– Salty Snacks: Cholula Hot Sauce Flavored Tortilla Chips | Xochitl, Inc.
– Savory Snacks: Everything Bagel Pretzels | Promise Confections / Edward Marc Brands
– Sweet Snacks: Nutella Ice Cream Cones | Ferrero North America
– Baked Goods: Strawberry Milkshake Cookie | The Graceful Cooki

John Downs, president & CEO of the National Confectioners Association, the host organisation for Sweets & Snacks Expo, praised this year’s batch of winners, which summed up the strong level of innovation happening across the region.

He commented: “The Most Innovative New Product Awards celebrate the creativity, ingenuity and consumer-focused innovation that continue to move the confectionery and snack industries forward,” 

“With a record number of entries this year, the 2026 finalists and winners demonstrate how brands are responding to evolving consumer preferences and creating opportunities for innovative treating.”

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