The National Confectioners Association announced the winners and finalists of the Most Innovative New Product Awards – recognizing items in 12 categories, as well as Best in Show and Small Business Innovator – during a ceremony May 12 at the Sweets & Snacks Expo in Indianapolis.
“The Most Innovative New Product Awards are a celebration of the creativity and ingenuity that keeps people coming back to the candy and snack aisles,” said John Downs, president and CEO of the NCA.
“Consumers turn to confectionery and snack products to add a little sweet or salty touch to special occasions and everyday moments. This year’s MINPA winners are outstanding examples of the ways in which the confectionery and snack industries are delivering products to meet consumers where they want to be met.”
This year, a record number of products – more than 400 total – were submitted for consideration in a variety of categories, with retail leaders specializing in these categories serving as judges.
The judging criteria was broken down into innovation (50 points), taste (25 points), saleability (15 points) and packaging (10 points).
The judges included industry leaders from wcompanies such as Family Dollar, The Fresh Market, Walgreens, Harris Teeter, Raley’s, Albertsons, Sam’s Club, Wawa, Nassau Candy, Yesway, Dollar Tree, Coborn’s, KeHE Distributors, Certco and Five Below.
The products are on display in the Featured Product Showcase at the Sweets & Snacks Expo, which continues through May 15 at the Indiana Convention Center.
The Most Innovative New Product Awards winners and finalists are:
- Best in Show
- Belle’s Gourmet Popcorn, Matcha Latte Popcorn – Winner
- Small Business Innovator
- Nomad Snacks, made by the International Snack Company, Pad Thai Flavored Ready-to-eat Popcorn – Winner
- Chocolate
- Harison Chocolate, Dubai Kunafa Chocolate 200 grams
- Pop & Sol, Coconut Flaked White Chocolate Covered Cashews – Winner
- Pop & Sol, Banana Dusted Dark Chocolate Covered Walnuts
- MiLanGo, Dubai Chocolate Bite Size
- Chocolove, Pistachios & Sea Salt in Milk Chocolate Bar
- Gourmet/Premium Confections
- Puffy Pop, Dubai Style Chocolate Style Puffs
- Mattigan’s, Dubai Style Chocolate Spread – Winner
- Edward Marc Chocolatier, Dubai Style Chocolate Strawberry Pistachio Truffle Bites
- Godlike by Astor Chocolate, Godlike Mega Krunch Mint Cookies and Cream
- Tru Fru, Nature’s Hyper-Dried Raspberries and Creme
- Gum and Mints
- Rev Gum, Pink Lemonade
- breathROX, Popping Breath Mints – Blue Raspberry – Winner
- Kraft Heinz Kool-Aid, Strawberry Cotton Candy Bubble Gum Peg Bag 1-ounce
- Pur Jumbo Sourz Gum, Blue Raspberry and Watermelon Sugar-Free Chewing Gum
- Myntz!, Breathmints Chai-Caffeine
- Gummy Candy
- Sour Patch Kids, Strawberry-Watermelon Glowups
- Amos Chew Topia, Gummy Jerky Passion Fruit
- Stuffed Puffs Gummy Fuzions, Sour Watermelon
- Nerds, Juicy Gummy Clusters – Strawberry Punch – Winner
- Rotten, Original Gummy Cruncheez
- Non-Chocolate Candy
- Sour Patch, Filled Straws – Blue Ray Lemonade
- Jolly Rancher, Freeze Dried Candy
- Skittles, POP’D Original
- Juicy Drop made by Amos and Bazooka Brands, Gummy Mystery Cube 5-ounce Original Flavor – Winner
- Edward Marc Chocolatier, Strawberry Licorice Magic Bites
- Novelty/Licensed
- Amos Tastysounds (Amos Sweets Inc.), Music Lollipop Gift Box 4-packs
- Tillamook Country Smoker, Tajin Chili Lime Beef Jerky
- Edward Marc Chocolatier, Girl Scouts Thin Mints Snappers
- Ezee Freezee, Freeze-n-Peel Strawberry Pop – Winner
- Evil Coffee, Clutch Cups – Light, Medium, Dark Roast
- Seasonal
- LUPY LUPS!, Cotton Candy Easter Glitter Kit
- Hawaiian Host, Ube White Chocolate Macadamias
- Edward Marc Chocolatier, Candy Cane Caramel THiNS
- Amos Tastysounds (Amos Sweets Inc.), JinglePop Graffiti – Winner
- Like Air, Thanksgiving Dinner Puffcorn
- Meat Snacks
- Pearson Ranch, Elk Jalapeño and Cheese Snack Sticks 4-ounce
- Jack Link’s Duos, Jalapeño & Mango Beef Jerky
- Jack Link’s Duos, Frank’s RedHot & Ranch Chicken Sticks
- Bavarian Meats, Original Lil’ Landjaeger Individually Wrapped Stick – Winner
- Wicked Cutz, Breakfast Stick Ham Egg and Cheese
- Salty Snacks
- SimplyProtein, Protein Tortilla Chips – Hint of Lime
- Belle’s Gourmet Popcorn, Dubai Chocolate Popcorn – Winner
- Nomad Snacks, Parmesan and Pepper Flavored Ready-to-Eat Popcorn
- PopCrunch, Peanut Butter and Strawberry PopCrunch Clusters
- Vlasic, Pickle Balls
- Savory Snacks
- Poshi, Kosher Petite Dill Pickles
- Snak Club, Ramen flavored Snack Mix – Winner
- Woodridge, Brussels Sprouts with Sticky Rice Chips, Sweet Thai Chili
- Wonderful Pistachios, No Shells Dill Pickle 2.25-ounces
- We Are Nuts, Blueberry Almond Granola
- Sweet Snacks
- YUPIK, Birthday Cake Mix
- Hostess, Ding Dongs 5-count Cereal Straws Peg Bag 1.76-ounce
- Chunk Nibbles, Toffee Sweet and Salty Clusters – Winner
- Nature’s Garden, Probiotic Lemonberry Yoggies
- San Diablo Artisan Churros, Itty Bitty Churros – Classic – Cinnamon Sugar
- Baked Goods
- Cookie Man – Loaded Cookies, Pumpkin Spice with Chocolate Frosting Loaded Cookie
- Molly Bz Cookies, Trashy Gourmet Shortbread Cookies with Mini Strawberry Boba – Winner
- San Diable Artisan Churros, Itty Bitty Churros – Spicy Inferno – Habanero Cinnamon Sugar
- Legendary Foods, S’mores Protein Pastry
- Legendary Foods, Caramel Sticky Bun Protein Sweet Roll
[RELATED: NCA Report: Confectionery Sales Break Records, Surpass $54B]
