The confectionery market is as fast-paced as ever. Naturally, this means that brands, manufacturers, marketers and R&D professionals need to stay on top of today’s innovations, developments and launches.
In a competitive and changing sector, staying up-to-date with the latest confectionery trends is vital.
Our bi-weekly new product development (NPD) series brings you the latest releases from the chocolate, candy and gum sectors. Here’s what’s hot right now.
Haribo launches three new SKUs
Multinational gummi bear brand Haribo announces three new products entering its soft candy product portfolio.
Celebrating Haribo’s National Gummi Bear Day on April 27, Haribo launches its new Goldbears tropical and Twin Snakes tropical varieties. The gummi brand has also unveiled its enhanced Starmix selection, complete with double-layered foam eggs and foam heart gummies for the US marketplace.
Its limited-edition range is the first time its Twin Snakes product variety has expanded its flavours. The sweet-and-sour duo products will include sweet mango and sour lime, sweet paradise punch and sour pineapple, and sweet passion fruit and sour tangerine.
The brand chose these flavours after finding that more than a third (35%) of US consumers said they’re likelier to try a candy with tropical flavours.
Haribo has also updated its Starmix line-up with lemon-flavoured fried eggs and raspberry-flavoured hearts. The two new varieties will join its Goldbears, Happy Cola and Gummi Rings sweets in the US to reflect Haribo’s global selection.
Warheads release its Atomic Fizz variety
Impact Confections-owned candy brand Warheads unveils its latest Atomic Fizz candy product. Its latest SKU combines the brand’s classic sour taste of Warheads Extreme Sour Hard Candy with a fizzy centre.
Designed to give a nod to explosive candy, sour sweet brands Warheads brings together sodium bicarbonate mixed with acid to create the fizz-in-your-mouth sensation.
Warheads’ latest Atomic Fizz collection comes in five fizzy flavours: blue raspberry, watermelon, black cherry, green apple and lemon and comes in a recyclable container.
BonBon Swedish Candy Co launches new Pippi Longstocking-inspired sour candy
To celebrate the famous literary character Pippi Longstocking’s 80th birthday on May 21, 2025, BonBon Swedish Candy Co has developed its latest product: Pippi’s Gold Coins.
Launched in 2017, the American confectionery start-up has built its brand on Swedish candies and delicacies. It imports all its products, including pick-and-mix candies and private-label sour fish and salty liquorice twists formulations.
Formulated to provide a new bold, tangy and sour tropical Swedish candy, the brand’s latest limited-edition SKU features pineapple and apricot flavours and a sour taste profile.
Mamba Fruit Chews debuts Beach Stick flavours
Ahead of summer, the fruity, chewy candy brand is launching its Beach Stick flavour SKUs for a limited time. Owned by the Storck brands, Mamba’s latest collection features strawberry, orange, lemonade and banana flavours. It aims to mirror trending tastes, along with bold flavours and a playful brand identity. Mamba Beach Sticks are made without artificial colours and are available in various fruity assortments.
Signature Wafer & Chocolate Co creates two new Skippy flavours
Leading US wafer manufacturer, Signature Wafer & Chocolate Co, has expanded its Skippy Peanut Butter Wafer Bar line rolls by releasing two new flavours: banana and peanut butter, and strawberry jelly. The new flavours join Skippy’s existing but newly reformulated creamy peanut butter & chocolate fudge SKU.
Recently, Skippy Wafer Bar expanded its distribution to Walmart stores throughout the US. The large-scale retailer will stock creamy peanut butter & chocolate fudge, banana and peanut butter and strawberry jelly wafer bars. Each contain granola and either chocolate or fruit pieces for a crunchy texture. In line with emerging consumer preferences they each contain 6g of protein and are formulated without high fructose corn syrup.
Sweet startup spotlight
Battle Bars and Stella Blue Coffee launch new caffeinated protein bar
US-based brands Battle Bars and Stella Blue Coffee have teamed up to release a dark chocolate espresso bar. Designed to provide consumers with the “ultimate caffeinated protein bar”, its release seeks to offer bold flavours, clean ingredients and high-quality protein. In releasing its product varieties, Battle Bars sought to redefine protein bars with marshmallow-based, gluten-free options free from artificial sweeteners.
Its latest dark chocolate-flavoured bar provides 17g of protein for muscle recovery and strength, 100mg of caffeine and an espresso flavour to provide a bold taste profile and energy hit.
