2025 Most Innovative New Product Awards
Non-Chocolate Candy
Product Submissions
| Exhibitor | Brand | Product | Innovation Statement | Price | Weight | Photo | Award |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bazooka Brands | Juicy Drop® | Gummy Mystery Cube 5oz Original Flavor | NEW Juicy Drop Gummy Mystery Cube is a unique, two-in-one gummy cube that has a surprise 3D gummy animal inside! Peel to reveal what animal and flavor you get, then eat the whole thing! Available in kid-favorite flavors Cherry, Apple, and Blue Raspberry | $ 4.99 | 1.4 oz |  |  |
| American Licorice Company | Sour Punch® | Filled Straws - Blue Raz Lemonade | Soft, Playable, and Electrifying – Stretchy-soft filled rope candy booming with a blend of Blue Raz and Lemonade flavors, turned up a notch with our superb sour coating that Sour Punch is known for. Available in a 5oz hanging bag with 12-count caddy. | $ 2.99 | 5 oz |  |  |
| Mars Wrigley North America | SKITTLES® | POP’D Original | SKITTLES® POP’D Original brings a crispy, crunchy twist to the iconic fruity flavors of the brand. Initially launched through TiKTok Shop following 1.6B #FreezeDriedSKITTLES views on TikTok in 2023, SKITTLES POP’D delivers an all-new experience for fans as a fun, poppable treat. | $ 5.96 | 5.5 oz |  | |
| Promise Confections / Edward Marc Brands | Edward Marc Chocolatier | Strawberry Licorice Magic Bites | Experience the most Magical Strawberry Licorice bite ever! Each bite begins with a white confectionary coating followed by a strawberry licorice nib center. Handcrafted in small batches, we remarcably redefine indulgence! | $ 6.99 | 6 oz |  | |
| The Hershey Company | Jolly Rancher | Freeze Dried Candy | Jolly Rancher Freeze Dried takes their bold, signature huge fruit flavors – Green Apple, Blue Raspberry, and Watermelon – and transforms them into ultra-crunchy bites that puff up in size with cutting-edge freeze-drying technology. This revolutionary treat offers an airy, melt-in-your-mouth crunch. | $ 3.99 | 3.1 oz |  | |
| 1UP Candy | 1UP Candy | Freeze Dried Rainbow Sour Strips | Level up your snack game with the world's first Freeze Dried Sour Strips! We took your favorite rainbow sour strips and unlocked their final form through next-level freeze-drying tech. These aren't just crunchy – they're break-the-internet crunchy. | $ 5.49 | 3 oz |  | |
| 1UP Candy | 1UP Candy | Sour Burst Fruit Chews | Level up your candy game with our most innovative creation yet – an explosively sour liquid core wrapped in a perfectly chewy outer shell. This legendary one-two punch hits different with three epic flavors: Sour'N'Strawberry, Gush'N'Green Apple, and Ooze'N'Orange | $ 3.49 | 5 oz |  | |
| American Licorice Company | Sour Punch® | Banana Roulette | Introducing Sour Punch Banana Roulette Bites! Hidden within the mix are banana-flavored gems that will surprise your taste buds in the best way. Will you land on that iconic banana flavor, or the fruity sidekicks along the way: Apple, Pineapple-Orange, and Lemon. | $ 1.69 | 5 oz |  | |
| American Licorice Company | Sour Punch® | Filled Straws – Cherry Limeade | Sour Punch Cherry-Limeade Filled Straws are here to change the way you treat yourself! The irresistible delight of sour cherry limeade flavor paired with the sweetie-smooth center coated in signature sour blend makes for a total sensory experience with this NEW cherry-lime rope candy. | $ 2.99 | 5 oz |  | |
| American Licorice Company | Vines | Filled Ropes – Passionfruit Orange Guava | Hang ten with these totally tubular Vines Filled Ropes, where a vibrant wave of passionfruit, zesty orange, and sweet guava collide in a chewy, flavor-packed adventure. Just like our chill fruit crew on the pack, each bite is a carefree burst of sunshine that will transport you to a state of bliss. | $ 2.99 | 5 oz |  | |
| Amos Sweets Inc. | Amos Chew Topia | Gummy Jerky Mango | Amos ChewTopia Gummy Jerky – Mango is infused with 50% real fruit juice for a luscious mango flavor and a satisfyingly chewy texture that mimics real dried fruit. Made with a plant-based formula and cellulose, it’s vegetarian-friendly and designed for high repeat purchase. | $ 4.99 | 6 oz |  | |
| Amos Sweets Inc. | Amos Chew Topia | Gummy Jerky Coconut | Amos ChewTopia Gummy Jerky – Coconut is infused with 50% real fruit juice for a rich, tropical coconut flavor and a satisfyingly chewy texture reminiscent of real dried fruit. Made with a plant-based formula and cellulose, it’s vegetarian-friendly and built for repeat purchase. | $ 4.99 | 6 oz |  | |
| Andersen's Crazy Candy | Andersen's Crazy Candy | Fizzy Mountain Mist | Bursting with the iconic citrus blend of your favorite soda, Mountain Dew. This freeze dried treat delivers a refreshing , fizzy crunch in every bite! | $ 7.99 | 1 oz |  | |
| Atkinson Candy Company | Zebra Bars® | The Original Crunchy Peanut Butter Bar | Introducing Zebra Bars®, our Original Crunchy Peanut Butter Bar with a new name! Zebra Bars® continue to be our most natural product with the fewest ingredients: homemade peanut butter from fresh roasted peanuts, sugar for sweetness and a dash of salt for savory goodness. | $ 5.99 | 8.71 oz |  | |
| Bazooka Brands | Juicy Drop® | Gummy Mystery Cube 5oz Wild Berry Flavor | NEW Juicy Drop Gummy Mystery Cube is a unique, two-in-one gummy cube that has a surprise 3D gummy animal inside! Peel to reveal what animal and flavor you get, then eat the whole thing! Available in kid-favorite flavors Strawberry, Raspberry, and Blueberry. | $ 4.99 | 1.4 oz |  | |
| Charms Company | Charms | Polka Dot Pops-Watermelon, Strawberry, Lemon, Blue Razz, and Orange | Charms Polka Dot Pops are a fun and sparkly treat for all ages! These flat-pops include edible polka-dot glitter and come in 5 delicious flavors-Strawberry, Lemon, Blue Razz Berry, Watermelon, and Orange. Make sure to grab a bag of these glittery pops next time you are at the store! | $ 4.39 | 7.4 oz |  | |
| Colombina Candy | Bon Bon Bum | Assorted Flavors Bubble Gum Pops With Tajín | Bon Bon Bum Bubble Gum Pops With Tajín Dip & Lick. Assorted flavors Watermelon & Passion Fruit. | $ 10.99 | 11.99 oz |  | |
| Durukan Confectionery Inc. | MOM Magical Organic Moods | Orange, Strawberry and Watermelon Flavored Organic Bonbon | MOM Organic Bonbon Candy pioneers the emerging organic a rapidly growing segment with only a handful of producers. Organic candies such as lollipops and bonbons attract health‑conscious shoppers and drive incremental sales. USDA certified Vegan, gluten‑free, dairy‑free, allergen‑free, Non‑GMO. | $ 2.95 | 1.98 oz |  | |
| Ferrara | Lemonhead | Freeze Dried Candy | Introducing your favorite Lemonhead candy with a fun crunchy twist! Each tasty piece is transformed into a uniquely crispy and intensely flavorful treat – offering a satisfying crunch with a light and airy texture that melts in your mouth. These perfectly poppable crunchy bites are a delicious treat | $ 5.99 | 4 oz |  | |
| Ferrara | Spree | Freeze Dried Candy | Introducing your favorite Spree candy with a fun, crunchy twist! Each tasty piece is transformed into a uniquely crispy and intensely flavorful treat – offering a satisfying crunch with a light and airy texture that melts in your mouth. These perfectly poppable crunchy bites are a delicious treat! | $ 5.99 | 4 oz |  | |
| Ferrara | SweeTARTS | Freeze Dried Candy | Introducing your SweeTARTS favorite candy with a fun crunchy twist! Each tasty piece is transformed into a uniquely crispy and intensely flavorful treat – offering a satisfying crunch with a light and airy texture that melts in your mouth. These perfectly poppable crunchy bites are a delicious treat | $ 5.99 | 4 oz |  | |
| Ferrara | SweeTARTS | Chewy Double Takes - Sweet Strawberry & Tart Blue Punch | New SweeTARTS Chewy Double Takes are a fruity and chewy delight to your tastebuds. These hard-coated chewy candies come with two new flavors – Sweet Strawberry and Tart Blue Punch – creating the perfect combination of sweet & tart that is signature to SweeTARTS. | $ 2.99 | 6 oz |  | |
| Frankford Candy LLC | Smucker's™ | Fruit Twists - Strawberry | Indulge in the deliciously fruity taste of Smucker’s Fruit Twists! These soft and chewy candy twists are bursting with juicy strawberry flavor, offering a delightful combination of sweetness and a smooth center for an irresistible snacking experience. | $ 3.49 | 5 oz |  | |
| Gerrit J. Verburg Co. | Satellite Wafers | Blue Raspberry Satellite Wafers with Tongue Tattoos | This classic candy gets a fun update with a new Sour Blue Raspberry flavor and a surprise twist: each wafer leaves a temporary tattoo on your tongue! It’s a perfect mix of sweet nostalgia and modern fun! | $ 3.00 | 1.27 oz |  | |
| Iconic Candy | Retro Sours | Tangerine | Retro Sours is the ultimate throwback candy—an electrifying mix of sweet and sour packed in its iconic tin. This viral sensation taps into nostalgic demand while delivering bold flavors today’s sour-obsessed consumers crave. Eye-catching, giftable, and perfect for impulse buys! | $ 3.99 | 2.12 oz |  | |
| LUPY LUPS ! | LUPY LUPS ! | Sour Challenge Cotton Candy | A sour challenge cotton candy with 5 flavors that increase sour level from sweet up to super sour. | $ 3.99 | 5 oz |  | |
| LUPY LUPS ! | LUPY LUPS ! | Assorted Party Pack Cotton Candy | Best seller! Number 1 on Amazon overall with more than 5000 reviews, with 4.7 stars. This nice clear bag holds 10 little pouches that are very nicely organized. The pouches hold the softest and flavorful cotton candy ever made. We can give 1 year shelf on the clear film. | $ 7.99 | 5.4 oz |  | |
| LUPY LUPS ! | LUPY LUPS ! | Cotton Candy Magic Floating Puff Balls | 15 multiflavored cotton candy balls that float in cold beverages. Great for beverage and cocktail decoration. | $ 9.99 | 6 oz |  | |
| Morinaga America, Inc. | HI-CHEW® | Getaway Mix - Mango Chamoy | With internationally inspired flavors rising in popularity, the all-new HI-CHEW® Getaway Mix features an exotic trio of flavors that cater to consumers with daring tastebuds and an appetite for adventure. Mango Chamoy balances sweet, tart notes with a hint of spice that grows with every chew! | $ 7.99 | 11.65 oz |  | |
| Morinaga America, Inc. | HI-CHEW® | Getaway Mix - Mai Tai | With internationally inspired flavors rising in popularity, the all-new Getaway Mix features an exotic trio of flavors that cater to consumers with daring tastebuds and an appetite for adventure. HI-CHEW Mai Tai blends fan-favorite tropical fruits, reminiscent of the classic vacation beverage. | $ 3.59 | 3 oz |  | |
| Morinaga America, Inc. | HI-CHEW® | Blue Raspberry Stick | HI-CHEW®, the immensely fruity, intensely chewy candy, is debuting its newest flavor in stick form: HI-CHEW® Blue Raspberry. Originally a standout in the beloved HI-CHEW® Fantasy Mix, this fan-favorite flavor is now available on its own stick packaging, making it easy to enjoy the flavor on-the-go. | $ 1.99 | 1.76 oz |  | |
| Perfetti Van Melle USA, Inc. | Airheads | Xtremes Very Berry Belts | Taking flavor to new Xtremes! Airheads Xtremes Very Berry Belts offer a dynamic blend of vibrantly ripe berry flavors with a tangy twist, delivering a deliciously bold and balanced taste for those variety-seekers looking for a sweet and sour candy thrill. | $ 1.59 | 2 oz |  | |
| PRO CANDY INC. | Protein Candy | Classic Fruit Sour | Protein Candy Classic Fruit Sour redefines better-for-you candy, delivering 14g of protein and just 4g of sugar per serving. With non-chocolate candy sales up +4.9% and protein supplements projected to grow 7.6% CAGR 2024-2030, this innovative treat attracts new consumers and fuels category growth. | $ 4.99 | 1.8 oz |  | |
| Promise Confections / Edward Marc Brands | Edward Marc Chocolatier | Strawberry Creme Caramel THiNS | Experience the ultimate Strawberry Crème Caramel THiN. Each bite begins with a strawberry infused caramel center and coated in a white confectionary crème. Handcrafted in small batches, this masterpiece delivers a silky, creamy texture, an irresistible depth of flavor that redefines indulgence. | $ 6.99 | 6 oz |  | |
| Promise Confections / Edward Marc Brands | Abba-Zaba | Peanut Butter and Jelly Inspired Taffy | Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Inspired Taffy snack size bars. Chewy Raspberry Flavor Taffy with a Peanut Butter Creme Center. | $ 3.99 | 4.4 oz |  | |
| SmartSweets | SmartSweets | SweetChews (Cherry Lemonade and Pink Punch) | NEW SmartSweets SweetChews feature two juicy delicious flavors per bag: Cherry Lemonade & Pink Punch. Individually wrapped, each 45g bag contains just 2g of sugar with no artificial sweeteners, added sugar or sugar alcohols and are colored with fruit and vegetable juices. | $ 3.29 | 1.6 oz |  | |
| Smith Co. Distributing | Munch Mallows | Tooty Fruity | Tooty Fruity Munch Mallows are a flavor-packed snack adventure! A crunchy candy shell meets a soft, fluffy marshmallow center, delivering a burst of fruity sweetness in every bite. Perfectly balanced, irresistibly fun—this is snacking reimagined! | $ 5.99 | 7 oz |  | |
| Storck | Mamba | Mamba Beach Sticks | Mamba fruit chews are a delicious and fruity treat, guaranteed to keep you chewing and chewing! Now in our new Beach Sticks variety featuring Banana, Lemonade, Strawberry, and Orange. | $ 2.00 | 6.3 oz |  | |
| Stuckey's | Stuckey's | Vanilla Pecan Log Roll | Light and fluffy vanilla nougat covered in smooth, rich caramel then rolled in premium chopped Georgia grown pecans. Classic flavors reinterpreted for a new generation! | $ 2.49 | 1.6 oz |  | |
| The Brittle House | The Brittle House | Sunflower Seed Brittle | Born out of a desire to create a nut-free brittle that does not compromise on taste or texture, we created Sunflower Seed Brittle—a delightful twist on a classic, nut-based confectionary that is both familiar and uniquely different. The product is packaged in an 8 oz. resealable bag. | $ 12.00 | 8 oz |  | |
| Zolli Candy - America's Healthy Candy | Zollipops | Vitamin C Zollipops | Get a sweet, immune boost with Vitamin C Zollipops. These smile-friendly, zero-sugar, dye-free, allergy friendly, vegan, KETO pops are made with natural fruit flavors. 300%DV of Vitamin C in 2 Pops, 33+ days supply. 3 mouth watering fruit flavors Strawberry, Watermelon & Tangerine | $ 9.99 | 8 oz |  |
