Staying on top of the latest confectionery launches, innovations and trends is crucial in today’s dynamic, bustling and evolving industry. Our bi-weekly new product development (NPD) roundup brings you the latest releases from startups, scaling sweet creators and multinational confectionery giants.
Get the latest insights on what’s happening in chocolate, candy and gum to steer your research and development (R&D) efforts, inform your production pipelines and market strategies to reflect consumer demands in 2025.
Looking to spark new ideas, grow your confectionery portfolio or keep up-to-date with trends? Here, you’ll find the latest launches and information to support your confectionery company’s growth and success.
SweeTARTS unveils new Gummy Halos
On May 20, SweetTARTS, the candy brand known for its tart taste profiles, announced the launch of its latest SweetTarts Gummy Halos. Now in gummy form, the soft and chewy ring-shaped gummies seek to create new, unique flavours and textures.
Combining sweet and tart flavours, SweeTARTS Gummy Halos features an airy and fluffy gummy bottom layer in the shape of a ring, topped with a pink and blue chewy layer. The brand, which is owned by multinational, Italian-born Ferrara, will come in two new flavours: Blue Punch and Strawberries & Cream.
SweeTARTS Gummy Halos sit alongside the brand’s existing candy products, including its Ropes, MEGA Rope and Chewy Fusions SKUs. Its latest release has been formulated and packaged in 3-ounce, 3.5-ounce, 6-ounce and 11-ounce varieties.
Trolli reveals New Sour Brite Squad
Gummi worm candy maker Trolli has released Sour Brite Squad in the US. Formulated to revolutionise consumers’ sour candy experience, Sour Brite Squad offers consumers a trio of uniquely shaped crawler sweets with bold flavours.
Sour Brite Squad continues the brand’s worm-centric line-up, bringing sour shoppers a chewy twist to its familiar products with three unique shapes and flavour mixes. The new product selection combines sour and sweet notes with berry and citrus flavours, including Blackberry-Lime, Strawberry-Lemonade, and Raspberry-Orange.
Known for its dual neon colours, impactful flavours and soft and chewy textured candy contents, the Ferrara-owned brand’s SKUs are the latest addition to its popular Sour Brite Crawlers portfolio. Trolli first tested its popularity with consumers by rolling its newest product out in select retailers in late 2024.
Trolli Sour Brite Squad is available throughout the US in 4.25 oz, 6.3 oz and 12.3 oz. Trolli is partnering with audio-visual technology company Elgato to offer consumers a chance to win various prizes, including Trolli-inspired custom PCs, streaming equipment, Corsair headsets and SCUF Valor Pro controllers.
Trolli’s latest SKU comes after its Electric Crawlers product and Gummi Pops release in April 2025—marking its first move into the frozen sweet treats space. The brand’s Gummi Pops varieties come in Grape, Strawberry and Cherry Lemon flavours.
Hershey debuts its Milk Chocolate with Caramel bar
Global confectionery and snacking giant Hershey has combined milk chocolate with caramel in its latest bar. Adding a twist to Hershey’s existing Milk Chocolate bar, its latest launch adds a caramel centre to its new SKU, creating its Milk Chocolate with Caramel bar.
Designed to help chocolate consumers “level up their s’mores game”, Hershey’s release adds new textures to its conventional chocolate bar. Adding more indulgence, Hershey has sought to enhance its latest product’s rich and creamy taste profile.
Hershey debuted its new Milk Chocolate with Caramel product at this year’s annual Sweet & Snacks Expo in May. The SKU will be available throughout the US in six-packs for a limited time.
Clif Builders rolls out three new high-protein bar creations
Food developer Clif Builders is unveiling a trio of new high-protein formulations in indulgent flavours. The brand, which multinational confectioner Mondelēz International owns, is releasing Oreo-flavoured and reduced sugar crispy bars.
Expanding its high-protein bars portfolio, Clif Builders is launching Oreo, a familiar flavour in its formulation. Packaged in a convenient, on-the-go format, the SKU comes in 20 grams of plant protein per bar, gluten-free ingredients and no artificial sweeteners.
The brand’s Reduced Sugar Crispy protein bars deliver 16 grams of protein and five grams of sugar per bar, are gluten-free and free from artificial sweeteners, wrapped up in a crispy texture. The high-protein, on-the-go snack comes in two indulgent flavours: Almond Salted Caramel and Peanut Butter Chocolate.
Bazooka Brands creates two innovations
Sweets creator Bazooka Brands releases two new confectionery formulations: Juicy Drop Gummy Mystery Cube and Juicy Drop MashUps. The brand released the latest additions to its Juicy Drop lineup at Sweets & Snacks Expo 2025.
By utilising new gummy technology and customisable candy formats, the brand aims to provide consumers with interactive experiences.
Bazooka Brands’ Juicy Drop Gummy Mystery Cube is available in two flavours: Original and Wild Berry. Designed to provide a multi-texture, multi-flavour sweet treat, the brand wanted to create new products featuring an innovative gummy experience that combines sweets and toys. The product has an outer cube that peels back to reveal a 3D animal-shaped gummy.
Juicy Drop MashUps offers consumers a mix-and-match candy experience, prioritising innovative flavour creation. The portable and refillable containers include sweet, chewy sheets and sour, crunchy candies. Juicy Drop MashUps are available in three flavours: Knock-Out Punch, Blue Rebel and Watermelon Blast. Consumers can access an on-pack QR code to gain entry to a Juicy Drop gaming platform.
Sweet startup spotlight
Perfect Bar releases new mini protein bar
Fresh-from-the-fridge protein snacks creator Perfect Bar has created its New Double Chocolate Mini Protein Bar. The new SKU is made with freshly ground peanut butter, organic honey and chocolate.
The original refrigerated protein bar developer brought chocolate and protein together in its new SKU. Growing its mini line sees Perfect Bar lean into its mini-in-size, mighty-in-protein marketing to roll out its Double Chocolate Mini.
Launched ahead of summer, Perfect Bar’s newest range is formulated with five grams of protein, 20-plus superfoods and is free from artificial flavours, colours and preservatives.
Tapping into consumers’ demands for flavour and nutrition in their confectionery products, Perfect Bar aims to appeal to calls for high-protein and clean-label snacks. The new Double Chocolate Mini Protein Bar is certified as organic by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and is gluten-free.
Perfect Bar’s latest flavour adds to the brand’s existing Mini product lineup, which includes Peanut Butter, PB&J, Dar Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter and Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter.
