Most Innovative New Product Award Winners Named at Sweets & Snacks Expo

The 2016 Most Innovative New Product Award winners in the confection and snack industries have been named by the National Confectioners Association. The winners were announced during an awards ceremony celebration at the Sweets & Snacks Expo in Chicago on May 24. From more than 300 new product award entries, the evaluation panel nominated 45 of the tastiest treats across nine candy and snack categories as finalists.

The nominees represent the most creative, innovative and fun products that the industry has to offer, say show organizers. Winners were awarded in the nine categories, including chocolate, non-chocolate, sweet, salty, savory, novelty, seasonal, gourmet/premium and gum/mints. Product submissions were rated based on taste, packaging, innovation and go-to market feasibility. 

"It's hard not to smile when thinking about how much fun candy is, but what people may not realize is how many companies around the globe are working tirelessly to push the envelope to take the confection and snacks industry to the next level," said NCA president and CEO John H. Downs, Jr. "We are continuously amazed by the industry's evolution and ability to remain innovative and exciting." 

A panel, led by Supermarket Guru and food marketing authority Phil Lempert, narrowed the field of nearly 300 scrumptious entries to the top five most innovative products in each category. Industry representatives from some of the nation's leading retail and wholesale companies, food industry icons and trend experts also played a role in distributing the golden tickets for each of the winning categories. Submissions saw growth of 12 percent from last year which made judging this year's competition a whole lot tastier. 

"With more competition than ever before, each of the Most Innovative Product Award finalists and winners represent the upper echelon of candy and snack innovation," said Barry Rosenbaum, chairman of the Sweets & Snacks Expo and president of Nassau Candy Distributors, Inc. "However, the increase in entries, totaling 320 this year, shows how innovative and progressive our industry is and embodies the essence of the Sweets & Snacks Expo."

Among a mouthwatering array of entries highlighting innovation in taste, a number of products also highlighted advancements made in packaging within the industry. A number of products this year showcased responsibility in encouraging smart snacking through their packaging forms and technology. The candy and snack industries are focusing now more than ever on providing consumers with the right tools to enjoy candy and snacks in moderation.

This year's winners are: 
Best in show winner: The Hershey Company – Reese's Pieces Peanut Butter Cups

Chocolate winner: Ferrero U.S.A., Inc. – Grand Ferrero Rocher

Nominees: MARS Chocolate North America – DOVE Chocolate Fruit & Nut - Raspberry & Honey Roasted Almond

MARS Chocolate North America – DOVE Chocolate Fruit & Nut - Strawberry & Cocoa Almond

R.M. Palmer Company – You're Jawsome  

The Hershey Company – Hershey's Brookside Dark Chocolate Tablet Bar Blueberry Almond Acai Flavor

Non-chocolate winner: Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company – Starburst Gummies

Nominees: Ferrara Candy Co. – Black Forest Organic Gummy Bears

Ferrara Candy Co. – Black Forest Organic Sour Heads

Just Born, Inc. – HOT TAMALES Licorice Bites

Perfetti Van Melle USA Inc. – Airheads Xtremes Sourfuls

Sweet snacks winner: Alli & Rose, LLC – Half Dips Dark Chocolate Mango

Nominees: Alli & Rose, LLC – Crispy Coconut Rolls Dipped in Dark Chocolate

Brownie Brittle, LLC. – Organic Pretzel & Dark Chocolate Brownie Brittle

DeMet's Candy Company – FLIPZ Caramel Sea Salt Chocolate Covered Pretzels  

Golden Cannoli – The Original Cannoli Chips

Salty snacks winner: Naturally Homegrown Foods Ltd – Hardbite "18 CARROT GOLD" Carrot Chips

Nominees: Beanfields Snacks – Beanfields Jalapeño Nacho Bean and Rice Chips

Caribe Producers – Hatfield & McCoy Bacon Jerky Spicy Revenge

Jack Link's Beef Jerky – Small Batch Maple Bacon Jerky

Popchips, Inc. – popchips Ridges

Savory snacks winner: Temple Lifestyle – Hungry Buddha Smokin' Sriracha Coconut Chips

Nominees: Alli & Rose, LLC – Broccoli Florets

Alli & Rose, LLC – Onion Chips

Perky Jerky – Brewmasters Pale Ale Turkey Perky Jerky

TUTY USA, LLC – RETRO-NUTS SRIRACHA

Novelty/licensed winner: Dippin' Dots Ice-Cream – Dippin' Dots Redberry Sherbet with Sour Patch Kids

Nominees: Boncho Boncha Corporation – Selfie Candy 

Boston America Corp – Bug Tape

Jelly Belly Candy Co. – BATMAN Grab & Go Bag

Kokos Confectionery & Novelty – Squeezy Squirt Pop

Seasonal winner: DeMet's Candy Company – TURTLES Eggs

Nominees: Ferrara Candy Co. – Trolli Sour Brite Trees

Jelly Belly Candy Co. – Jelly Belly Naughty or Nice BeanBoozled Spinner Gift Box

The Hershey Company – Hershey's Candy Corn Crème Bar

Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company – Starburst Ice Cream Jellybeans

Gourmet/premium winner: Jelly Belly Candy Co. – Organic Jelly Beans  

Nominees: Bare Snacks – bare Baked Crunchy Cinnamon Banana Chips

Brown & Haley – Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter MOUNTAIN THINS

Little Secrets – Toasted Coconut  

Thanasi Foods – Duke's Hatch Green Chile Smoked "SHORTY" Sausages 

Gum & Mints Winner: Bazooka Candy Brands – Bazooka Sugar-Free To Go Cup

Nominees: Mondelez International – Stride Revolution Melo Peach  

Mondelez International – Stride Revolution Spearmint

Project 7 – Project 7 Build a Flavor Smores Pack

Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company – Orbit White