2021 Most Innovative New Product Awards Showcase 

This digital portal provides access to nearly 200 products submitted into the 2021 innovation awards program. Product submissions were taste-tested by more than 20 retail experts representing nearly 85 percent of the U.S. buying power. Four weighted criteria were used to assess each item including taste, packaging, innovation and go-to market feasibility.

Go to: Best in Show | Small Businness Innovator | Gourmet/Premium – Candy | Gourmet/Premium – Snack | Gum & Mints | Chocolate | Non-Chocolate | Seasonal | Savory Snacks | Salty Snacks | Sweet Snacks | Novelty/Licensed | Meat Snacks

SPONSORED BY:

Circana

Best In Show

Nerds Gummy Clusters
Ferrara Candy Company

Nerds Gummy Clusters

SRP: 2.99  |  8 oz

Nerds Gummy Clusters are brightly colored pieces that offer a cluster of crunchy, tangy, mini-rainbow NERDS with a delightful, fruity gummy center, dual-texture treat.

Small Businness Innovator

Winner:
Banana Bite
BranchOut

Banana Bite

SRP: 3.99  |  2 oz

Our patented GentleDry™ Technology is a new, mild-temperature drying method that maintains our fruit’s natural color, flavor, and nutrients. Conventional dried fruit products are processed using hot air, freeze dryers, or oil fryers.

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Gourmet/Premium – Candy

Winner:
Natures Pineapple Pina Colada  Hyper-Chilled Fresh and Immersed in White Chocolate and Coconut
Tru Fru LLC

Natures Pineapple Pina Colada Hyper-Chilled Fresh and Immersed in White Chocolate and Coconut

SRP: 3.99  |  5 oz

At only 70 Calories per Serving Tru Fru Pineapple ripens on the vine (to maximize taste), freshly frozen (locks in nutrition), Immersed in white chocolate & coconut, and is uniquely hyper-chilled to enhance flavor. Non GMO, Gluten Free.

Nominees:
Milk Chocolate French Sea Salt Wildflower Honey Caramel
Las Olas Confections and Snacks

Milk Chocolate French Sea Salt Wildflower Honey Caramel

SRP: 5.99  |  4 oz

A one-of-a-kind clean caramel made with pure wildflower honey (instead of corn syrup), blended with fresh cream and real butter, drenched in smooth milk chocolate. This gluten-free treat delivers on consumers’ demand for premium, wholesome candy!

Organic Dairy-Free Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel
Second Nature Brands

Organic Dairy-Free Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel

SRP: 1.79  |  1.5 oz

Organic Dairy Free Sea Salt Caramels combine premium plant-based ingredients into a silky caramel that's covered in 70% cacao dark chocolate and sprinkled with coarse sea salt. An indulgent caramel experience that's 100% vegan!

Dove Hi Cacao 82%
Mars Wrigley Confectionery US, LLC

Dove Hi Cacao 82%

SRP: 4.49  |  7.23 oz

In March 2021, DOVE® Chocolate expanded its Dark Chocolate Collection with two new silky smooth, extra dark offerings. The new PROMISES® are available in indulgent varieties: Deeper Dark Chocolate (70% Cacao) and Deepest Dark Chocolate (82% Cacao)

Béquet Celtic Sea Salt Gourmet Caramel Resealable Pouch
Béquet Confections

Béquet Celtic Sea Salt Gourmet Caramel Resealable Pouch

SRP: 5.99  |  3.6 oz

What’s new about caramel? A whole lot, actually. Finally, ultra soft, premium gourmet caramel can be found in your local grocery store. Bequet Caramel is a 10-time national award winning caramel, made in small batches in the heart of Bozeman, MT.

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Gourmet/Premium – Snack

Winner:
The Original - Ultra-Premium Puff Corn
Crack Corn

The Original - Ultra-Premium Puff Corn

SRP: 5.99  |  3.17 oz

Crack Corn is like premium popcorn, but better! No kernels or hulls means Crack Corn is easy to eat... it just melts in your mouth. It's ridiculously delicious with a salty-sweet flavor and texture truly unlike anything else on the market!

Nominees:
Blueberry Pretzel Cheesecake
Diamond K Sweets

Blueberry Pretzel Cheesecake

SRP: 5.25  |  4 oz

Bark O’ Love daringly pairs thin pieces of chocolate bliss with bold NY Cheesecake Fudge O’ Bits®, dried blueberries, and salty pretzel pieces in this preeminent masterpiece for an unrivaled love at first bite. Indulge your senses, taste the love.

Chocolate Lover
Popilicious Popcorn

Chocolate Lover's Mini Gourmet Popcorn Cake

SRP: 3.99  |  3 oz

Popilicious is the only maker of Gourmet Mini Popcorn Cakes. Popcorn that slices like a cake with the yummy sensation of a marshmallow treat. Customized w/ fave candy, nuts or dried fruits. Great for party favors, snack or treat. Salty and sweet.

Crazy Monkey Baking Salted Caramel Granola Bites
Primary Colors

Crazy Monkey Baking Salted Caramel Granola Bites

SRP: 4.99  |  7.5 oz

We have combined the consistencey of a cookie, the tasty crunch of granola to provide a bite size snack containing 18g of whole grains per serving, No preservatives, No Artificial colors or flavors in a fan favorite flavor Salted Caramel

All-American Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread Crackers
Partners, A Tasteful Choice Company

All-American Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread Crackers

SRP: 4.99  |  4 oz

Add a little spice to your cracker aisle with these Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread crackers. Eye-catching in flavor and artwork, it’s the add-on item your customer never intended to buy but makes it into the cart this trip and the next. Made in the USA.

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Gum & Mints

Winner:
Mentos Gum Paperboard Bottle
Perfetti Van Melle USA, Inc.

Mentos Gum Paperboard Bottle

SRP: 4.99  |  5.64 oz

Mentos Pure Fresh Gum – Now in a Paperboard Bottle! A first in the US gum category, this new bottle is made of 90% recyclable paperboard, giving consumers the Mentos Gum they know and love in a paper-based bottle, with no premium cost.

Nominees:
Bazooka Sugar Free To-Go Cup
Bazooka Candy Brands, a Division of The Topps Company

Bazooka Sugar Free To-Go Cup

SRP: 3.79  |  3 oz

The Bazooka Sugar Free To Go Cup is now in Classic 1980s packaging! Families will love this trip down memory lane, as they get a fun Sugar-Free twist on the Original Bubble Gum flavor and comics!

Orbit Gum Mega Pack
Mars Wrigley Confectionery US, LLC

Orbit Gum Mega Pack

SRP: 2.29  |  5.8 oz

• In April 2021, ORBIT® will be BIGGER and BOLDER with the launch of ORBIT® Mega Packs – a proven upsize pack containing 30 pieces so people can chew more gum. New ORBIT® Mega Packs are portable and keep gum fresh, offering shelf longevity.

Tic Tac® Tropical Adventure
Ferrero USA, Inc.

Tic Tac® Tropical Adventure

SRP: 1.49  |  1 oz

This brand-new addition to the Adventures sub-line takes your taste buds to flavor paradise. It features four delicious fruity flavors: pineapple, mango, banana, and passion fruit, which come together to form one vibrant and adventurous pack!

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Chocolate

Winner:
Reese
The Hershey Company

Reese's Big Cup with Pretzels

SRP: 2.09  |  2.6 oz

Reese’s Big Cup with Pretzels takes one of your favorite salty snacks and stuffs it inside your favorite snack, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. It's a perfect pick-me-up for an afternoon snack and will satisfy your sweet (and salty) tooth!

Nominees:
Kinder Bueno Mini
Ferrero USA, Inc.

Kinder Bueno Mini

SRP: 4.49  |  5.7 oz

Beneath a blanket of smooth milk chocolate lies a thin, crispy wafer filled with a creamy hazelnut filling topped with a delicate, dark chocolate drizzle. These individually wrapped, bite-sized chocolates are anything but expected.

Fruity Pebbles Candy Bar
Frankford Candy LLC

Fruity Pebbles Candy Bar

SRP: 1.99  |  2.75 oz

The Fruity Pebbles Candy Bar combines innovation in many ways. Providing that nostalgic feel to the new and growing millennial buyers. Bringing cereal to the candy aisle helping the industry to continue to grow.

KIT KAT Thins
The Hershey Company

KIT KAT Thins

SRP: 3.89  |  7 oz

New KIT KAT Thins have only two, light and crispy wafers and are more than 30% thinner than the standard KIT KAT bar, which has three layers of wafers. KIT KAT Thins are a great item for on-the-go snacking with their individually wrapped packaging.

CLASSIC RECIPE Whole Hazelnut Stick
Lindt & Sprungli (USA)

CLASSIC RECIPE Whole Hazelnut Stick

SRP: 1.49  |  1.2 oz

Developed by Lindt Master Chocolatiers, this combination of whole hazelnuts & luscious hazelnut creme enrobed in smooth premium milk chocolate is destined to satisfy consumers that are looking for a more substantial yet chocolate forward boost.

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Non-Chocolate

Winner:
Bakery Shoppe Bag
Mederer U.S.A., Inc.

Bakery Shoppe Bag

SRP: 1.99  |  2.7 oz

efrutti combines new individually wrapped bakery inspired items to create a new personal variety pack focused on bringing the tea party to life. This new offering broadens the consumer base and brings incremental sales into the category.

Nominees:
2.82oz HI-CHEW Plus Fruit Peg Bag
Morinaga America, Inc.

2.82oz HI-CHEW Plus Fruit Peg Bag

SRP: 2.59  |  2.82 oz

Featuring Orange & Tangerine and Red Apple & Strawberry, Plus Fruit delivers even more fruit flavor with pieces of real fruit adding to the fruitiest HI-CHEW experience. Every chew contains two unique flavors combined into a fruit flavor explosion.

Push Pop®  Gummy Roll
Bazooka Candy Brands, a Division of The Topps Company

Push Pop® Gummy Roll

SRP: 1.89  |  1.4 oz

New Push Pop® Gummy Roll brings an all-new eating experience to gummy candy! With its interactive packaging, kids will have a blast as they Pull, Press, Push™ out their perfect piece of sanded gummy candy. Great for save for later and on-the-go enjoy

Funtastic Mix
Haribo of America, Inc.

Funtastic Mix

SRP: 1.69  |  5 oz

Talk about a party! HARIBO Funtastic Mix turns up the fun with a merry medley of unique characters like race cars, robots, chameleons, & more! With so many fun shapes, textures, color and flavor combinations - every bite is a fun-filled adventure!

Rainbow Worms
Haribo of America, Inc.

Rainbow Worms

SRP: 3.49  |  9 oz

Introducing HARIBO Rainbow Worms! These squigly, wiggly worms are as irresistible as they are cute! Their playful shape makes them perfect for eating whole or chomping your way through the lemon, strawberry, and black currant sections!

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Seasonal

Winner:
Nerds Candy Corn
Ferrara Candy Company

Nerds Candy Corn

SRP: 1.99  |  8 oz

Nerds Candy Corn has a NERD candy flavored shell surrounding a soft & chewy NERD Fruity center. Each piece has a candy coating around a candy corn piece and contains a center with two flavors & two colors, Strawberry and Grape

Nominees:
Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Caramels
Sconza Candy Co.

Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Caramels

SRP: 3.99  |  5 oz

Creamy caramels with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves dipped in white chocolate.

Hershey
The Hershey Company

Hershey's Sugar Cookie Kisses

SRP: 3.49  |  7.5 oz

The melt-in-your-mouth Hershey’s Sugar Cookie Kisses candy embody that soft, sweet taste that is delicately crafted into one delicious bite, but no baking needed!

Reese
The Hershey Company

Reese's Franken-Cup

SRP: 3.89  |  9.8 oz

The iconic Reese’s brand has been transformed into a spooky green sensation! The new Reese’s Franken-Cup features the iconic milk chocolate and peanut butter center you love but is now paired with a franken-green creme.

Dark Chocolate Peppermint Caramels with Sea Salt and Crushed Candy Cane
Second Nature Brands

Dark Chocolate Peppermint Caramels with Sea Salt and Crushed Candy Cane

SRP: 4.99  |  7 oz

Dark Chocolate Peppermint Sea Salt Caramels start with peppermint infused small-batch caramel that's draped in dark chocolate and sprinkled with sea salt and crushed candy cane. Perfect for the season with no artificial colors or preservatives!

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Savory Snacks

Winner:
Torti Max
Indiana Import LLC

Torti Max

SRP: 1.1  |  4 oz

On the market since February 2021, and is being sold in 8 states. The demographics of this product are kids, young adults, teenagers. The bag is slim in order for customers to bring the bag closer to their mouth. easy access to the chips without mess

Nominees:
Sour Cream & Onion Protein Puffs
Shrewd Food

Sour Cream & Onion Protein Puffs

SRP: 2.49  |  0.74 oz

Sweet, Heat and Healthy!! A snack that tastes this good just can't be good for you until now. Now you can make Shrewd Food choices that satisfy the craving for crunch and taste. Shrewd Food helps you stick to your Macros while enjoying snacking!

Almond Butter Filled Pretzels
Pretzels, Inc.

Almond Butter Filled Pretzels

SRP: 6.99  |  18 oz

This slightly sweet and lightly salted new Almond Butter Filled Pretzel has zero artificial ingredients. Great new alternative snack for the Peanut allergen concerned consumer.

Breakfast Taco
Cheesewich Factory

Breakfast Taco

SRP: 2.69  |  3.23 oz

Owner Tony Migacz thought of Breakfast Taco during the national pandemic. He thought what product could fit into his indexes in his vacuum seal machine. He found a 4" tortilla, already had the meat, cheese & brought in the egg patty! It tastes great!

ROAM Kansas City BBQ Mushroom Crisps
Mudlrk Snacks

ROAM Kansas City BBQ Mushroom Crisps

SRP: 4.99  |  1.5 oz

Plant-based, crunchy, smokey and bold BBQ mushroom crisps. Packaged in a fully compostable bag. High in fiber, good source of protein, vitamins and minerals. Mushrooms and sustainable packaging are two very trending items.

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Salty Snacks

Winner:
Wonderful Pistachios No Shells Sea Salt & Vinegar
Wonderful Pistachios

Wonderful Pistachios No Shells Sea Salt & Vinegar

SRP: 6.99  |  5.5 oz

Treat your taste buds to a tart, tangy snack! Wonderful Pistachios No Shells Sea Salt & Vinegar are the perfect balance of sour and savory. Consumers are looking for a delicious, guilt-free, plant protein snack and this delivers!

Nominees:
Dot
Dot's Pretzels

Dot's Honey Mustard

SRP: 5.99  |  16 oz

These salty-sweet, tangy, perfectly seasoned pretzels are dusted with our top-secret seasoning blend unlike anything other. Crispy, crunchy pretzels, kept fresh by a resealable bag are dressed with the ideal amount of sweet, salt and seasoning.

Grain Free Pretzels - Roasted Garlic & Herb
Savor Street Foods

Grain Free Pretzels - Roasted Garlic & Herb

SRP: 4.49  |  5 oz

Ever opened a snack and not been able to put it down?! Say hello to Roasted Garlic & Herb grain-free pretzels! Just over 100 calories per serving, 0g sugar, vegan, gluten free and top 8 allergen free… and the cleanest ingredients! It’s a No Grainer®!

Cheese Curls
Dot's Pretzels

Cheese Curls

SRP: 5.99  |  10.5 oz

These cheesy, garlicky, salty, perfectly-seasoned snacks are dusted with our top-secret seasoning blend unlike anything other. Crunchy, baked cheese curls, kept fresh by a resealable bag are dressed with the ideal amount of spice, salt and seasoning.

Snack Max Hot Buffalo Mix
Second Nature Brands

Snack Max Hot Buffalo Mix

SRP: 6.99  |  24 oz

Kar’s Snack Max brings the best of trail mix & salty snacks together in one tasty combo! Hot Buffalo brings a top savory snack flavor & new buyers to the Trail Mix category, with 50% of surveyed consumers preferring Snack Max over pretzels!

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Sweet Snacks

Winner:
Natures Strawberries Hyper-Chilled Fresh in White Chocolate & Milk Chocolate
Tru Fru LLC

Natures Strawberries Hyper-Chilled Fresh in White Chocolate & Milk Chocolate

SRP: 3.99  |  5 oz

At only 90 calories a serving Natures Strawberries ripen on the vine (to maximize taste), frozen fresh (to maintain nutrition), double immersed in premium white & milk chocolate, and hyper-chilled to enhance flavor. Non-GMO and Gluten Free.

Nominees:
Froot Loop Cereal Straws
Galerie

Froot Loop Cereal Straws

SRP: 5.49  |  8.82 oz

They Are Back! 25% of Kellogg's social media comments are related to consumers asking Kellogg's to bring back cereal straws. Adding to the brand line extensions. The aroma fruity crunchy snack, that can even make milk sipp'en fun.

Dark Chocolate Covered Almond Butter Filled Pretzels
Hayden Valley Foods Inc. aka Tropical Nut & Fruit Inc.

Dark Chocolate Covered Almond Butter Filled Pretzels

SRP: 3.99  |  5 oz

Current diet trends have made Almond Butter a hot item in consumer snacking. We elevated "permissible snacking" by covering a salty, creamy Almond Butter Filled Pretzel Nugget in an indulgent, less sweet but better for you Dark Chocolate!

Reese
Brownie Brittle, LLC

Reese's Pieces Brownie Brittle

SRP: 3.99  |  4 oz

Introducing Reese's Pieces Brownie Brittle- a sweet snacking dream! Thin & crispy chocolate Brownie Brittle covered with real Reese's Pieces. At only 130 calories per serving, it hits that sweet craving without the guilt!

Baby Bundts (Lemon Drizzle Flavor)
Hostess Brands

Baby Bundts (Lemon Drizzle Flavor)

SRP: 3.99  |  10 oz

Bundt cakes are universally known but until now were limited to a large-format special occasion dessert. Hostess® Baby Bundts deliver a portable, on-the-go way to enjoy this celebratory treat – the first of its kind in the SBG aisle.

Coco Bites BARE, Original Recipe
Las Olas Confections and Snacks

Coco Bites BARE, Original Recipe

SRP: 4.99  |  5 oz

A brand-new take on a decades-old recipe, our classic Coco Bites® formula, stripped of its dark chocolate coating, leaving nothing but moist shredded coconut. The perfect year-round sweet snack, delivering on consumers’ demand for bite-sized treats.

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Novelty/Licensed

Winner:
Harry Potter Back Pack Clips with Mystery Flavor PEZ Candy
Pez Candy, Inc.

Harry Potter Back Pack Clips with Mystery Flavor PEZ Candy

SRP: 5.99  |  4.3 oz

Take PEZ with you! The all-new PEZ Clips feature a Mini Harry Potter & Hermione Granger PEZ Dispenser complete with clip on hook perfect for backpacks and bags. Features Mystery Flavor PEZ. Perfect for Back-to-School season!

Nominees:
Juicy Drop® Gummy Dip N
Bazooka Candy Brands, a Division of The Topps Company

Juicy Drop® Gummy Dip N' Stix

SRP: 1.89  |  3.4 oz

New Juicy Drop® Gummy Dip ‘n Stix packed with sweet gummy stix and sour gel so you can take your your dip ‘n dip n’ dip anywhere! Create YOUR perfect mix of sweet and sour with Juicy Drop® Gummy Dip ‘n Stix.

Game of Thrones Gift Tin with Dragonfruit PEZ Candy
Pez Candy, Inc.

Game of Thrones Gift Tin with Dragonfruit PEZ Candy

SRP: 14.99  |  13.85 oz

To celebrate Game of Thrones 10th Anniversary, PEZ presents the Game of Thrones Iron Anniversary Gift Tin. A perfect tie-in, this tin comes with new Dragon Fruit flavor alongside four Game of Thrones PEZ Dispensers in a collectible tin.

Santa Claus PEZ Dispenser Ornament with Sugar Cookie PEZ Candy
Pez Candy, Inc.

Santa Claus PEZ Dispenser Ornament with Sugar Cookie PEZ Candy

SRP: 4.99  |  2 oz

A New Collectible Santa Claus PEZ Dispenser! Features Santa in his signature suit in a fully functioning PEZ Dispenser complete with hang hole to trim the tree! Includes Assorted Fruit and Sugar Cookie flavor PEZ in a giftable box.

Mandalorian Gummies & Suprise
Galerie

Mandalorian Gummies & Suprise

SRP: 2.49  |  0.99 oz

Mandalorian. The #1 content on Disney+. Now offered in the Finders Keepers Brand. 7 collectable pencil toppers with 10 trivia cards. Comes with character gummies in 4 flavors. Watermelon, cherry, blue raspberry, & grape. Which one will you get?

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Meat Snacks

Winner:
Tripi
Pure Jerky Co

Tripi's Sweet Spicy Original

SRP: 6.99  |  2 oz

Pure Jerky uses ultra high grade, 100% US Angus Beef in small batches to create perfect texture and complex deliciousness. Our unique process is executed completely by hand in our brand new Zero-Waste Facility in Austin, Texas.

Nominees:
Baconwich
Cheesewich Factory

Baconwich

SRP: 1.29  |  1.17 oz

Owner Tony Migacz thought of Baconwich while bowling w/ his grandkids. He was actually in the back drinking beer w/ the Papas. His daughter had brought string cheese & turkeybacon. The Papas were all eating it together, & thats how Baconwich was born

Sour Cream and Onion Crispy Jerky Chips
Stoney Point Meats Inc.

Sour Cream and Onion Crispy Jerky Chips

SRP: 15  |  5 oz

In a category that has had no major concept changes other than exotic flavor profiles I introduce to you Crispy Jerky Chips. Thin like a chip, crunches like a chip but is all protein. Ditch the bag of deep fried Potato chips and eat meat repeat.

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