The winning products were selected from more than 300 new product award entries across nine candy and snack categories: chocolate, non-chocolate, sweet, salty, savory, novelty, seasonal, gourmet/premium, and gum & mints, according to the NCA.
It said the goal is “to bring unique products with a variety of emerging flavor profiles and inspirational packaging to attending buyers looking to drive retailer engagement.”
“Product submissions were rated based on four weighted criteria: taste, packaging, innovation and go-to market feasibility,” added the NCA.
Larry Levin, IRI’s executive vice president of consumer and shopper marketing, was one of the judges for the award this year. He said: “Historically, innovation has driven about 7% of the growth in confections. New products spark excitement for the consumer and generate more opportunities for treating.”
“Small business innovator award,” new to this year’s expo, was presented to Vosges Haut-Chocolate for its hazelnut cocoa toast flavor. The NCA said the entry was designed to recognize companies with annual net sales under $500,000 among well-established peers.
Additionally, the US candy association awarded Hostess Brands’ double chocolate cake delights the “best in show” item, and gave Ruby Chocolate (created by Barry Callebaut) the Inaugural Ruby Award.
The most innovative sweets and snacks are:
Chocolate winner: Hershey - Hershey’s Gold Standard Bar
Nominees:
Tootsie Roll - Junior Mint Minis
Seattle Chocolate - Seattle Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake Truffle Bar
R.M. Palmer Company - Football Fantasy
Tru Fru LLC - Coconut Melts Freeze-Dried & Immersed in Dark Chocolate
Non-chocolate winner: Nestlé USA/Ferrara Candy Company - Big Chewy Nerds
Nominees:
Ferrara - SOUR BRITE SNEAKS
Hershey - Jolly Rancher Misfits
Impact Confections - HOTHEADS Scorching Heat Twists
Hammond's Brands - Vanilla Caramel Marshmallow
Sweet snacks winner: Justin's - Justin’s Organic White Chocolate Mini Peanut Butter Cups
Nominees:
That's How We Roll - Cinnamon Crumb Cake Thins
Edward Marc Brands - Cookie Butter Snappers
Vidal Candies USA - SPICY MANGOS
The Promotion In Motion Companies, Inc. - Superfruit Mix
Salty snacks winner: Sahale Snacks - Sahale Snacks Tangerine Vanilla Cashew-Macadamia Glazed Mix
Nominees:
From the Ground Up - Cauliflower Pretzel Sticks
Perfect Snax – Butterfinger
Made in Nature - Veggie Pops / Salt and Pepper
Rudolph Foods - Oven Baked Pork Rinds/Blackberry Habanero
Savory snacks winner: Alli & Rose - Trail Mix Crackers
Nominees:
Cheesewich Factory - Bacon and Eggs
Kellogg - Cheez-It Duoz Caramel Popcorn & Cheddar
Land O'Frost - High Protein Chips
Clever Cookie - Baked Cheddar Protein Crisps
Novelty/licensed winner: Impact Confections, Inc. - WARHEADS Dippin’ Ring
Nominees:
Ferrero - Frozen & Jurassic World Limited Editions
Bazooka Candy Brands, a Division of The Topps Company - Baby Bottle Popping Powder
PEZ Candy - PEZ Jurassic World Click & Play Gift Tin
Jelly Belly Candy Company - Jelly Belly Krispy Kreme Doughnut Tin
Seasonal winner: Ferrero - Golden Heart for You & Me
Nominees:
Nestlé USA - Big Chewy Nerds Reindeer Stocking Hanger
Jelly Belly Candy Company - Jelly Belly Love Beans Valentine's Gift Box
Mars Wrigley Confectionery - Mars Wrigley Chocolate Variety mix party bowl
Hershey - Hershey’s Kisses Hot Cocoa
Gourmet winner: That's How We Roll - Trios/Original
Nominees:
Chuao Chocolatier - Ravishing Rocky Road Joy-Filled Caramels
KIWA - Native Andean Potato Chip Mix
Hammond's Brands - Chocolate Chocolate-Chip Marshmallows
Mars Wrigley Confectionery - Dove Chocolate - cashews dipped in milk chocolate
Gum & mints winner: Ferrero - Cool Tropical
Nominees:
Perfetti Van Melle - Mentos CleanBreath
Mars Wrigley Confectionery - Juicy Fruit Gum Collisions Strawberry Watermelon
Hershey - Ice Breakers Deep Freeze Peppermint
Simply Gum - Cleanse / Grapefruit - Prickly Pear - Cayenne - Sea Salt