2026 Most Innovative New Product Awards
Non-Chocolate Candy
Product Submissions
| Exhibitor | Brand | Product | innovation Statement | Price | Weight | Product Photo | Award |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CandyRific | WARHEADS | Loud Mouth Bites Bag 10ct. (Sour Watermelon, Green Apple, Blue Raspberry) | WARHEADS LOUD MOUTH BITES BAG .70oz. Crispy, Crunchy Popping Candy Bites featured in top 3 sour flavors: watermelon, green apple & blue raspberry. Multi-level candy experience-100 popping candy crystals inside each crunchy piece. 10 individually wrapped pieces in each bag. See how long you can POP! | $1.79 | 0.7 oz |  |  |
| Rotten | Rotten | Sour Tiniez | Meet Sour Tiniez: the ultimate bite-sized, sour chewy fruit candy! Packed with 11g of protein per serving and low in sugar, they deliver the intense tangy pucker consumers crave with the macros they demand. | $3.99 | 1.8 oz |  |  |
| Final Boss Sour | Final Boss Sour | Level 3 Sour Watermelon Kiwis | Level 3 Watermelon Kiwis combine real dried kiwi with bold watermelon sour flavor in a gamified ‘Level 3’ intensity. Made with real fruit and no artificial flavors or colors, it delivers a craveable sweet-sour experience designed to drive repeat purchase and stand out on shelf. | $4.99 | 3.52 oz |  |  |
| Just Born | HOT TAMALES® | Tropical Heat | Meet NEW HOT TAMALES® Tropical Heat™ – where tropical flavors collide with fiery pepper spice. Mango Chili, Pineapple Picante and Fiery Lime deliver a sweet-heat rush that dares you to “Live on Flavor’s Edge.” With colors from natural sources. Available in 4.25 oz theater box & 9 oz SUB. | $1.49 | 4.25 oz |  | |
| Bazooka Brands | Go Wandr™ | Mini Mochi Gummy Berry Mix | NEW Go Wandr™ Mini Mochi Gummy reimagines authentic Japanese mochi in a playful gummy form, creating a one-of-a-kind fusion where every bite feels like a sweet adventure. | $3.99 | 5 oz |  | |
| Morinaga America, Inc. | HI-CHEW® | Lychee & Raspberry Stick | HI-CHEW Lychee & Raspberry Stick delivers a tangy‑sweet dual‑flavor chew with a unique taste rarely found on shelves. The bold new packaging boosts shelf impact and on‑the‑go appeal, drawing new consumers and tapping into demand for globally inspired flavors. | $2.31 | 1.76 oz |  | |
| Final Boss Sour | Final Boss Sour | Level 1 Sour Strawberry Lemonade | A new take on sour candy: real dried strawberries coated in sour lemonade flavor with ‘Level 1’ sour for an approachable entry point to the brand. No artificial flavors or colors, bright taste, and a format built to bring new consumers into the sour category. | $4.99 | 3.52 oz |  | |
| Mondelez International, Inc | Sour Patch Kids | Chews | Sour Patch Kids Chews features a sweet & chewy exterior paired with a burst of the brand’s signature sour sanding on the inside. This sweet and sour combination creates a multi-sensory experience that’s both unexpected and irresistibly craveable. | $3.00 | 5.12 oz |  | |
| Morinaga America, Inc. | HI-CHEW® | Fantasy Mix - Cotton Candy | HI-CHEW’s Cotton Candy flavor brings a distinctive and memorable twist to the fan-favorite HI-CHEW Fantasy Mix. Tapping into Gen Z and Alpha’s demand for playful, nostalgic and indulgent treats, it attracts new shoppers, refreshes the mix, and drives incremental sales with standout shelf appeal. | $8.45 | 11.65 oz |  | |
| Dorval Trading Co., Ltd. | SOUR POWER® | Pickle Candy Straws | Our new SOUR POWER® Pickle-Flavored Sour Straws are the ultimate snack-time rollercoaster, blending the tart zing of our traditional sour candy with the unmistakable, vinegary snap of a crunchy dill pickle. It’s a pickle party for your mouth, and everyone’s invited! | $2.00 | 1.75 oz |  | |
| Bazooka Brands | Go Wandr™ | Mini Mochi Gummy Fruity Mix | NEW Go Wandr™ Mini Mochi Gummy reimagines authentic Japanese mochi in a playful gummy form, creating a one-of-a-kind fusion where every bite feels like a sweet adventure. | $3.99 | 5 oz |  | |
| Bazooka Brands | Ring Pop® | Wedding Collection 15ct Bag | The NEW Ring Pop® Wedding Collection is perfect for every event along the bridal journey. Co-created with renowned celebrity wedding planner Mindy Weiss, the collection features gemstone-inspired, non-staining pops, a pearl white ring and wedding-inspired wraps. It’s the sweetest way to say yes! | $10.99 | 7.5 oz |  | |
| Century Snacks – Snak Club | Snak Club | Snak Club x Mike's Hot Honey Bombs | Sweet up front. Warm on the finish. An explosively craveable collab from Snak Club x Mike's Hot Honey. These cherry bombs deliver on the Mike's Hot Honey signature sweet heat flavor. They start smooth - sweet honey, juicy cherry. Then the sweet heat sneaks in. Bold. Balanced. Unstoppable. | $3.99 | 3.5 oz |  | |
| American Licorice Company | Sour Punch® | Filled Bites Lemonade Flavors 9oz Stand Up Bag | Sour Punch Filled Bites deliver a mini flavor party in every bag with an assorted mix of four lemonade-inspired flavors: Blue Raz Lemonade, Cherry Lemonade, Strawberry Lemonade, and Watermelon Lemonade. Each sour bite pairs a fruity-soft outer layer with a creamy lemonade filling inside. | $4.49 | 9 oz |  | |
| Sconza Chocolates | Sconza Chocolates | Freeze Dried Triple Berry Bites | Freeze-dried strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries meet a smooth yogurt-flavored crème in a light, crispy bite—an on-trend, fruit-forward indulgence that adds color, texture, and variety to any assortment. | $5.99 | 4.5 oz |  | |
| UNREAL | Unreal Snacks | Peanut Butter Drops | Unreal's Peanut Butter Drops are the nostalgic PB snack you love, finally made better — delivering the flavor you crave with real, creamy peanut butter, 33% less sugar, and nothing artificial. | $6.99 | 4 oz |  | |
| Mars Wrigley LAN | Lucas | Lenwas Watermelon (Sandia) | Lucas Lenwas are spicy lollipops, characterized by a hard candy shell with an intense chili powder center. They are available in flavors such as mango, watermelon, and chamoy, aiming to offer an intense experience. They are iconic treats that combine sweet, sour, and spicy flavors. | $2.00 | 4.94 oz |  | |
| Kenzen - Barnett Sweets | Mega Sour | Barnetts Mega Sour Candy Zombie Bombz 104g | THE TRENDY SOUR CANDY: Ready to put your taste buds to the ultimate test? Barnetts Mega Sour Zombie Bombs is more than just a sweet, it’s a bold, mouth-puckering experience that’s been delighting thrill-seekers and candy lovers across the world. | $4.99 | 3.7 oz |  | |
| Promise Confections / Edward Marc Brands | Edward Marc Chocolatier | Tangerine Sourz | Made with simple ingredients, this unique snack features premium dried tangerines packed with a sour punch. | $5.99 | 4.5 oz |  | |
| Mars Wrigley LAN | Lucas | Lenwas Mango | Lucas Lenwas are spicy lollipops, characterized by a hard candy shell with an intense chili powder center. They are available in flavors such as mango, watermelon, and chamoy, aiming to offer an intense experience. They are iconic treats that combine sweet, sour, and spicy flavors. | $2.00 | 4.94 oz |  | |
| Mars Snacking | STARBURST | Sours | The latest innovation from STARBURST, STARBURST Sour delivers the iconic, chewy consistency fans know and love, but now with a burst of tangy, tartness for a taste bud adventure that’s Different Every Time. | $2.19 | 2.07 oz |  | |
| Darrell Lea | Darrell Lea | Soft Australian Pink Lemonade Licorice 7oz | Darrell Lea’s famous soft, chewy texture shines in its delicious new Pink Lemonade flavored licorice made with no HFCS, palm oil, red dyes or GMOs. Crafted with quality ingredients, they’re vegetarian, kosher and a convenient, shareable on-the-go treat made in Australia. | $3.49 | 7 oz |  | |
| The Ricky Joy Company | Ricky Joy | Mellow Dog 18 / 2.76 OZ | Ricky Joy Mellow Dog reinvents America’s favorite into a marshmallow novelty, tapping into the 250-year celebration. Eye-catching, hot dog-shaped candy built for impulse. 2.76 oz doypack drives trial, visibility, and high-velocity retail sales. | $3.49 | 2.76 oz |  | |
| Just Born | PEEPS® Brand | POP-TARTS Frosted Strawberry Flavored Marshmallow Chicks | Experience a POP of sweet flavor with this fun collaboration! PEEPS® POP-TARTS™ Frosted Strawberry Flavored Marshmallow Chicks gives you the best combination of your favorite pastry and Marshmallow treats. Available in 5-count, 10-count, and 15-count packages. | $1.25 | 1.5 oz |  | |
| Perfetti Van Melle USA, Inc. | Airheads Xtremes | Mega Bites | Mega Bites takes Airheads Xtremes to the next level with MEGA-sized pieces, two bold flavors in every bite, and the signature sour coating fans love. A bigger, more exciting candy experience that stands out on shelf and delivers maximum flavor impact. | $3.78 | 8.5 oz |  | |
| SmartSweets | SmartSweets | Dream Puffs | SmartSweets Dream Puffs are the only low-sugar, vegan foam candy: 3g sugar, plant-based, high fiber, and no sugar alcohols. They bring new shoppers: 53% of foam buyers are new to the set. Riding the Swedish candy trend, foam is fast-growing and 85% incremental with no overlap to gummy candy. | $3.29 | 1.8 oz |  | |
| Morinaga America, Inc. | HI-CHEW® | Dessert Mix - Orange Creamsicle | HI-CHEW’s Orange Creamsicle flavor enhances the existing Dessert Mix by combining familiar fruit flavors with a nostalgic twist for an indulgent dessert inspired flavor. Orange Creamsicle is a differentiated offering that complements existing flavors and encourages both trial and repeat purchase. | $8.45 | 11.65 oz |  | |
| The Foreign Candy Company, Inc. | Jaw Jamz™ | Audio Lollipop Strawberry | Jaw Jamz uses bone conduction to play songs through your jaw while you enjoy a strawberry flavored lollipop! Click between two songs while you eat! | $4.99 | 0.46 oz |  | |
| Atkinson Candy Company | Gemstone | Van Holten’s Pickle Balls | On point with the hottest industry trend in flavor cross overs. It’s kind of a big dill! | $1.79 | 3 oz |  | |
| Rotten | Rotten | Sour Chewerz | Meet Sour Chewerz! These low-sugar, soft sour chews pack 11g of protein per serving. Hidden inside are crunchy nonpareils for an explosive flavor blast and an addictive dual-texture chew. | $3.99 | 1.9 oz |  | |
| Darrell Lea | Darrell Lea | Soft Australian Raspberry Licorice 7oz | Darrell Lea’s famous soft, chewy texture shines in its delicious new Raspberry flavored licorice made with no HFCS, palm oil, red dyes or GMOs. Crafted with quality ingredients, they’re vegetarian, kosher and a convenient, shareable on-the-go treat made in Australia. | $3.49 | 7 oz |  | |
| pladis North America | Turtles | Peanut & Caramel Clusters with Peanut Butter Flavored Fudge | The ultimate indulgence for peanut lovers, Turtles Peanut & Caramel Clusters offer an irresistible new way to enjoy classic confectionary flavors. With crunchy roasted peanuts and creamy caramel and wrapped in rich peanut butter flavored fudge, it’s a gooey, crunchy, and utterly peanutty bite. | $1.95 | 1.76 oz |  | |
| All That Sweet, Inc. - SNAX | Mallow Pop | Dehydrated Marshmallow - Mild | Light, airy, and delightfully crunchy, Mallow Pop Mild with Probiotics transforms the classic marshmallow into a fun, crispy treat. Made with natural colors and flavors, Mallow Pop Mild offers a clean-label indulgence without artificial additives. Each bite is enriched with probiotics. | $2.75 | 0.77 oz |  | |
| Storck | Werther's Original | Sugar Free Caramel Apple Hard Candies | Smooth, creamy caramel meets the taste of caramel-dipped apples in a classic sugar free hard candy. Made with real butter and fresh cream, Werther’s Original Caramel Apple is a limited edition treat crafted for the fall season. | $3.96 | 5 oz |  | |
| Darrell Lea | Darrell Lea | Real Twists Strawberry Flavor 7oz | Darrell Lea’s famous soft, chewy texture shines in its new Strawberry flavored Real Twists - delicious extra-long candies made with no HFCS, palm oil, red dyes or GMOs. Crafted with quality ingredients, they’re vegetarian, kosher and a shareable on-the-go treat made in Australia. | $3.49 | 7 oz |  | |
| Storck | Mamba | Fruit Chews Tropical Sticks | Inspired by the bright, transportive flavors of a tropical getaway, new Mamba Tropical Sticks feature a vibrant assortment of Peach-Passionfruit, Apple-Kiwi, Piña Colada, and Mango-Orange. Each chewy stick delivers a bold burst of fruity flavor to bring a taste of summer wherever consumers go. | $3.00 | 6.3 oz |  | |
| Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc. | Tootsie Pops | The Fruit Ones - Blue Raspberry & Cherry / Strawberry & Lemon / Green Apple & Watermelon | Tootsie Pops The Fruit Ones are the iconic lollipop with a sweet crunchy candy shell & chewy, fruity Tootsie Roll center. These duo flavored lollipops are 2 Treats and Flavors in 1! | $4.49 | 10.13 oz |  | |
| Darrell Lea | Darrell Lea | Real Twists Pink Lemonade Flavor 7oz | Darrell Lea’s famous soft, chewy texture shines in its new Pink Lemonade flavored Real Twists - delicious extra-long candies made with no HFCS, palm oil, red dyes or GMOs. Crafted with quality ingredients, they’re vegetarian, kosher and a shareable on-the-go treat made in Australia. | $3.49 | 7 oz |  | |
| Just Sweet LLC | Sweeto | Sour Fruit Slices Marshmallows | Sweeto Sour Fruit Slices Marshmallow reimagines marshmallows as vibrant, sour-dusted fruit wedges with a soft, fluffy bite and naturally derived colors, featuring an assortment of Sour Blue Raspberry and Sour Strawberry slices in every bag for a bold, grab-and-go sour marshmallow experience. | $1.79 | 3 oz |  | |
| Darrell Lea | Darrell Lea | Soft Australian Cinnamon Licorice 7oz | Darrell Lea’s famous soft, chewy texture shines in its delicious new Cinnamon flavored licorice made with no HFCS, palm oil, red dyes or GMOs. Crafted with quality ingredients, they’re vegetarian, kosher and a convenient, shareable on-the-go treat made in Australia. | $3.49 | 7 oz |  | |
| Zolli Candy - America's Healthy Candy | ZOLLI | Sour Zollipops + High In Vitamin C - Blue Raspberry, Green Apple, Lemonade, Strawberry & Watermelon | New! SOUR Zollipops Zero Sugar, Dye Free Lollipops - The Smile-Friendly, Guilt-Free Treat! Mom, kid, classroom, and dentist approved. Our allergy friendly candy is made with delicious, natural fruit flavors and is diabetic, GLP-1 & KETO friendly. A sweet & SOUR treat that’s good for your teeth! | $9.99 | 5.2 oz |  | |
| Ferrara | Laffy Taffy | Laffy Taffy Mini Bars Desserts Strawberries & Cream, Coconut Cream Pie, Blueberry Cobbler, Orange Cream Bar | A delicious assortment of Laffy Taffy’s smooth and creamy mini-bars in dessert-inspired flavors capturing the indulgent essence of beloved treats like Strawberries & Cream, Blueberry Cobbler, and more! | $6.49 | 10 oz |  | |
| Kenny's Candy & Confections | Wiley Wallaby | DUOS Berry Pomegranate | Snack your way with perfectly paired flavors. Two flavors, one seriously satisfying snack. | $3.49 | 7.05 oz |  | |
| Promise Confections / Edward Marc Brands | Edward Marc Chocolatier | Cosmic Glow Bites | Wiley Wallaby strawberry-flavored licorice coated in white confectionery coating and finished with edible confetti that glows under blacklight. | $5.99 | 6 oz |  | |
| Just Sweet LLC | Sweeto | Sour Cherry Cola Marshmallow | Sweeto Sour Cherry Cola Marshmallow blends bold cherry sweetness with classic cola tang, delivering a soft, fluffy bite layered with a juicy cherry burst and a fizzy, sour finish in a vibrant, impulse-ready format that pushes marshmallows into nostalgic, soda inspired territory. | $1.79 | 3 oz |  | |
| Just Sweet LLC | Sweeto | Sour Cola Marshmallows | Sweeto Sour Cola Marshmallow twists classic cola into a soft, fluffy sour marshmallow, delivering a sharp cola bite with a fizzy, tangy finish in an eye-catching, impulse-ready format that pushes marshmallows into drink-inspired territory. | $1.79 | 3 oz |  | |
| Just Sweet LLC | Sweeto | Sour Straws Marshmallows | Sweeto Sour Straws Marshmallow transforms classic marshmallows into bold, tangy straws with a soft, fluffy bite and naturally derived colors, in four flavors: Tropical Punch, Cool Lime, Raspberry Lemonade, and Strawberry Lemonade—delivering a new, sour-first marshmallow snacking experience. | $1.79 | 3 oz |  | |
| Kenny's Candy & Confections | Wiley Wallaby | Twists Classic Red | Wiley Wallaby Gourmet Classic Red Licorice is so soft and chewy. Less sugar, fat free, and absolutely no dairy, artificial dyes, or high fructose corn syrup makes Wiley Wallaby the candy you’ll feel good about sharing with the whole family. | $2.19 | 5 oz |  | |
| Candy Fun Street | Candy Fun Street | Blue Raspberry Twists | Blue Raspberry Twists deliver a layered bite experience. Soft, chewy outer with a juicy centre that releases as you chew, finished with bold blue raspberry flavour. Built for repeat purchase, premium quality that stands out on shelf and keeps consumers coming back. | $2.99 | 3.17 oz |  | |
| Promising Goods | Herby | Sour Rainbow Belts with Fruit Powder & Fruit Juice Concentrate | Bright, tangy rainbow sour belts made with real fruit powder and fruit juice concentrate for authentic flavor. Naturally flavored with no artificial colors, vegan, GMO-free, and halal—delivering a bold, fruity bite in every strip. | $3.99 | 10 oz |  |
