Las Vegas Convention Center — The industry gathered last evening at the Sweets & Snacks Expo Awards Ceremony to celebrate the winners and finalists in the 2026 Most Innovative New Products Awards. With nearly 500 products entered this year — the largest field in program history — the awards spotlight breakthrough innovation, emerging trends, and products poised to drive consumer excitement and category growth, while recognizing the year’s most innovative confectionery and snack products and honor the companies that make them.
“The Most Innovative New Product Awards celebrate the creativity, ingenuity and consumer-focused innovation that continue to move the confectionery and snack industries forward,” said John Downs, president & CEO of NCA, the host organization for Sweets & Snacks Expo. “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.”
More than 40 retail leaders representing all classes of trade served as judges across the 12 categories that comprise the Most Innovative New Product Awards (see page 70).
This year’s awards program also saw the introduction of two new awards. The Trailblazer Award, one each for candy and snack, celebrates bold, disruptive products, often from start-ups or challenger brands, and illustrates where the category is headed. The Powerhouse Award, one each for candy and snack, honors significant launches, often from established brands, that will drive sales in the market.
Replacing the previous Best in Show and Small Business Innovator categories, the updated structure reflects the evolving marketplace while ensuring the Most Innovative New Product Awards continue to recognize both disruptive emerging ideas and high-impact launches from established brands.
The 2026 Powerhouse Candy Award was presented to WarHeads Loud Mouth Bites from CandyRific, LLC, with the Powerhouse Snack award going to Dot’s Snack Mix from The Hershey Co.
The first-ever Trailblazer Candy Award went to Issei for its Mochi Gummies – Dark Chocolate Covered Cherry, and the Trailblazer Snack award was given to Belle’s Gourmet Popcorn for its Raspberry Rose (Beauty + Glow) Popcorn.
In addition to the Powerhouse and Trailblazer honors, awards were also presented to the top products in each of 12 categories.
CAL Marketing took top honors in the Chocolate Category for its Alli & Rose Strawberry Moochies, while the Gourmet/Premium Confections Category award was presented to Tru Fru for its Freeze Dried Milk + White Chocolate Strawberries.
The Gum & Mints Category honors went to Bubblicious Gummy Gum – Strawberry Orange, from Perfetti Van Melle, and Smarties’ Squashies Sours – Cherry & Apple, earned top honors in the Gummi Category. Rotten was presented with the top prize in the Non-Chocolate Category for its Sour Tiniez, while the Novelty/Licensed Category award went to 1UP Candy’s Mashups Candy Salad Kit.
Seasonal Category winner Brach’s Crunchy Chewy Jelly Beans are new from Ferrara Candy Co., while in the Meat Snacks Category Wicked Cutz’ Cinnabon Bakery Inspired Flavored – Bacon Jerky was the top product.
Xochitl, Inc. earned top honors in the Salty Snacks Category for its Cholula Hot Sauce Flavored Tortilla Chips, and in the Savory Snacks Category Everything Bagel Pretzels from Promise Confections / Edward Marc Brands was the recipient.
Nutella Ice Cream Cones from Ferrero North America was the recipient of the Sweet Snacks Category, and in the Baked Goods Category, The Graceful Cookie’s Strawberry Milkshake Cookie took home the award.
All the winners and finalists are on display this week in the Featured Product Showcase. They can also be viewed in the show app.
