Sweets & Snacks Expo Honors Innovation
Awards program recognizes emerging trends and standout new candy and snack products shaping the category
IMAGE COURTESY OF: The National Confectioners Association
The Sweets & Snacks Expo announced the winners of the 2026 Most Innovative New Product Awards, recognizing the most innovative candy and snack products shaping the future of the industry. 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.
"The Most Innovative New Product Awards celebrate the creativity, ingenuity and consumer-focused innovation that continue to move the confectionery and snack industries forward," John Downs, president & CEO of the National Confectioners Association, the host organization for Sweets & Snacks Expo, said in a statement. "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."
This year's awards program introduces two new top honors – the Trailblazer Award and Powerhouse Award – 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 Most Innovative New Product Awards winners are:
- Powerhouse Candy: WARHEADS Loud Mouth Bites | CandyRific
- Powerhouse Snack: Dot's Snack Mix | The Hershey Company
- Trailblazer Candy: Mochi Gummies - Dark Chocolate Covered Cherry | Issei
- Trailblazer Snack: Raspberry Rose (Beauty + Glow) Popcorn | Belle's Gourmet Popcorn
- Chocolate: Alli & Rose Strawberry Moochies | CAL Marketing
- Gourmet/Premium Confections: Freeze Dried Milk + White Chocolate Strawberries | Tru Fru
- Gum & Mints: Bubbilicious Gummy Gum – Strawberry Orange | Perfetti Van Melle
- Gummy Candy: Squashies Sours – Cherry & Apple | Smarties
- Non-Chocolate Candy: Sour Tiniez | Rotten
- Novelty/Licensed: Mashups Candy Salad Kit | 1UP Candy
- Seasonal: Brach's Crunchy Chewy Jelly Beans | Ferrara
- Meat Snacks: Cinnabon Bakery Inspired Flavored – Bacon Jerky | Wicked Cutz
- Salty Snacks: Cholula Hot Sauce Flavored Tortilla Chips | Xochitl, Inc.
- Savory Snacks: Everything Bagel Pretzels | Promise Confections / Edward Marc Brands
- Sweet Snacks: Nutella Ice Cream Cones | Ferrero North America
- Baked Goods: Strawberry Milkshake Cookie | The Graceful Cookie
The Sweets & Snacks Expo brings together candy and snack manufacturers, retailers and industry partners from around the world to showcase the latest innovations and trends driving the future of snacking and confectionery.
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