The Sweets & Snacks Expo started off strong with the announcement of the winners of the prestigious Most Innovative New Product Awards. These highly competitive awards recognize the most innovative candy and snack products and companies for their achievements and new products. Though they typically cover only the preceding year, the 2021 awards included products that were introduced to the market over the previous two years due to the cancellation of the awards program in 2020.
The products listed below were judged by retail and category thought leaders from leading retailers like Costco, Walgreens and 7-Eleven. The awards attracted more than 300 entries and recognized 55 products in 11 categories, as well as Best In Show and Small Business Innovator, which recognize the judges’ favorite product and an up-and-coming innovative company, respectively.
Best In Show
Winner:
- Ferrara | Nerds Gummy Clusters
Small Business Innovator
Winner:
- BranchOut | Banana Bite
Sweet Snacks
Winner:
- Tru Fru LLC | Natures Strawberries Hyper-Chilled Fresh in White Chocolate & Milk Chocolate
Nominees:
- Galerie | Froot Loop Cereal Straws
- Brownie Brittle, LLC | Reese’s Pieces Brownie Brittle
- Hostess Brands | Baby Bundts (Lemon Drizzle Flavor)
- Las Olas Confections and Snacks | Coco Bites BARE, Original Recipe
Seasonal
Winner:
- Ferrara Candy Company | Nerds Candy Corn
Nominees:
- Sconza Candy Co. | Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Caramels
- The Hershey Company | Hershey’s Sugar Cookie Kisses
- The Hershey Company | Reese’s Franken-Cup
- Second Nature Brands | Dark Chocolate Peppermint Caramels with Sea Salt and Crushed Candy Cane
Salty
Winner:
- Wonderful Pistachios | Wonderful Pistachios No Shells Sea Salt & Vinegar
Nominees:
- Dot’s Pretzels | Dot’s Honey Mustard
- Savor Street Foods | Grain Free Pretzels – Roasted Garlic & Herb
- Dot’s Pretzels | Cheese Curls
- Second Nature Brands | Snack Max Hot Buffalo Mix
Novelty
Winner:
- Pez Candy, Inc.| Harry Potter Back Pack Clips with Mystery Flavor PEZ Candy
Nominees:
- Bazooka Candy Brands, a Division of The Topps Company | Juicy Drop® Gummy Dip N’ Stix
- Pez Candy, Inc. | Game of Thrones Gift Tin with Dragonfruit PEZ Candy
- Pez Candy, Inc. | Santa Claus PEZ Dispenser Ornament with Sugar Cookie PEZ Candy
- Galerie | Mandalorian Gummies & Surprise
Non-Chocolate
Winner:
- Mederer U.S.A., Inc. | Bakery Shoppe Bag
Nominees:
- Morinaga+America,+Inc. | 2.82oz HI-CHEW Plus Fruit Peg Bag
- Bazooka Candy Brands, a Division of The Topps Company | Push Pop® Gummy Roll
- Haribo of America, Inc. | Funtastic Mix
- Haribo of America, Inc. | Rainbow Worms
Meat
Winner:
- Pure+Jerky+Co | Tripi’s Sweet Spicy Original
Nominees:
- Cheesewich Factory| Baconwich
- Stoney Point Meats Inc. | Sour Cream and Onion Crispy Jerky Chips
Gum & Mints
Winner:
- Perfetti Van Melle USA, Inc. | Mentos Gum Paperboard Bottle
Nominees:
- Bazooka Candy Brands, a Division of The Topps Company | Bazooka Sugar Free To-Go Cup
- Mars Wrigley Confectionery US, LLC | Orbit Gum Mega Pack
- Ferrero USA, Inc. | Tic Tac® Tropical Adventure
Gourmet/Premium – Snack
Winner:
- Crack+Corn | The Original – Ultra-Premium Puff Corn
Nominees:
- Diamond K Sweets | Blueberry Pretzel Cheesecake
- Popilicious Popcorn | Chocolate Lover’s Mini Gourmet Popcorn Cake
- Primary Colors | Crazy Monkey Baking Salted Caramel Granola Bites
- Partners, A Tasteful Choice Company | All-American Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread Crackers
Gourmet / Premium Candy
Winner:
- Tru Fru LLC | Natures Pineapple Pina Colada Hyper-Chilled Fresh and Immersed in White Chocolate and Coconut
Nominees:
- Las Olas Confections and Snacks Milk | Chocolate French Sea Salt Wildflower Honey Caramel
- Second Nature Brands | Organic Dairy-Free Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel
- Mars Wrigley Confectionery US, LLC | Dove Hi Cacao 82%
- Doscher’s Candies, Inc. | Béquet Celtic Sea Salt Gourmet Caramel Resealable Pouch
Chocolate
Winner:
- The Hershey Company |Reese’s Big Cup with Pretzels
Nominees:
- Ferrero USA, Inc. | Kinder Bueno Mini
- Frankford Candy LLC | Fruity Pebbles Candy Bar
- The Hershey Company | KIT KAT Thins
- Lindt & Sprungli | Classic Recipe Whole Hazelnut Stick
Savory
Winner:
- Indiana Import LLC | Torti Max
Nominees:
- Shrewd Food | Sweet Thai Chili Protein Puffs
- Pretzels, Inc. | Almond Butter Filled Pretzels
- Cheesewich Factory | Breakfast Taco
- Mudlrk Snacks | ROAM Kansas City BBQ Mushroom Crisps
