NCA’s 2018 Sweets, Snacks Expo showcases new products
Sweet stuff. That is what attendees will hope to find at the 2018 Sweets and Snacks Expo, which takes place from May 22 to 24 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. The annual show, sponsored by the National Confectioners Association, has attracted more than 800 exhibitors, who will showcase their candy, gum, mints and savory snacks in new flavors, formulations and packages.
Here are some of the companies that will attend, and the new products they will highlight.
Mars Wrigley Confectionery U.S.
Exhibit Hall 907
Based in Hackettstown, N.J., but moving to Newark, N.J. in the near future, Mars Wrigley Confectionery U.S. is extending its Extra chewing gum brand into the mints category. Extra Chewy Mints, available in two flavors — peppermint and Polar Ice — are chewable sugar mints packed with the flavor and freshening power of Extra chewing gum. Each mint has a thin, crispy outer shell and a chewy freshening core to deliver flavor and freshness, according to the company. Extra Chewy Mints are available in a 1.5-oz. durable plastic pack with a suggested retail price of $2.19, and a 7.5-oz. pegged stand-up bag with a suggested retail price of $6.99.
Juicy Fruit Collisions is bringing two-flavors-in-one to stick gum, with strawberry-watermelon and Tropical Berry flavor collisions. The gum is available in a 15-stick single-serve pack at the suggested retail price of $1.19, and in a multipack with three 15-stick single-serve packs at the suggested retail price of $2.69.
Milky Way Fudge is a bar made with rich chocolate, golden caramel and fudge nougat, available in both share size and minis. It has a suggested retail price of $1.10.
Starburst Gummies Sour Berries, a new addition to the Starburst Gummies line, contain a variety of sour-packed fruit flavors: strawberry, berry punch, wild berry and black raspberry. They are available in a 3.5-oz. share-size bag, a 5.8-oz. peg bag and an 8-oz. stand-up pouch, with suggested retail prices of $1.79 to $2.59.
White chocolate is gaining in popularity. Twix White Chocolate Cookie Bars feature two crunchy cookie bars covered with caramel and enrobed in white chocolate. This item is available in a 1.79-oz. single size for a suggested retail price of 99 cents to $1.09; a 2.64-oz. 2-to-Go size for a suggested retail price of $1.69 to $1.79; and a fun-size medium bag for a suggested retail price of $3.49 to $4.99.
In September, Mars Wrigley will launch M&M’S White Chocolate Peanut made of peanuts surrounded by white chocolate and a candy shell. Building off the success of M&M’S White Chocolate, M&M’s White Chocolate Peanut will launch in three-pack types: singles, share size, and sharing stand-up pouch, with suggested retail prices ranging from 99 cents to $3.39.
Jelly Belly candy
Exhibit Hall 939
Fairfield, Calif.-based Jelly Belly Candy will debut ice cream-inspired flavors, and two movie-related launches.
Jelly Belly Candy Cones is a new line of ice cream-flavored treats, featuring miniature replicas of ice cream cones in five classic ice cream flavors: vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, mint chip and orange sherbet. Each candy cone piece has a waffle-cone flavor at the bottom with one of the five ice cream flavors on top. Candy cones are mellocreme candies with such ingredients as fondant and marshmallow frappe like the company’s Candy Corn. Candy cones will be available in August in 3-oz. bags and in bulk, with a special gift box coming soon.
The “Incredibles 2” Collection, featuring Disney/Pixar’s super family, will be available in two snackable and shareable package sizes, the company said. With the “Incredibles” sequel released on June 15, Jelly Belly is debuting 1-oz. bags and 2.8-oz. grab-and-go bags featuring character art. Both bags are filled with an assortment of popular Jelly Belly jelly beans, including Berry Blue, Jewel Wild Blackberry, lemon, Sour Orange and Very Cherry. Each 1-oz. bag features stylized character art of one Parr family crime fighter captured in dynamic action. The 1-oz. bags ship in a mixed 24-count caddy. The 2.8-oz. grab-and-go bag features character art of the entire family in their signature uniforms. The bags ship in a 12-count caddy.
The “Jurassic World” Collection, just ahead of the world premiere of “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” in June, includes Jelly Belly jelly beans and chocolate items. The Jurassic Mix, an assortment of five flavors of jelly beans, is available in 1-oz. bags, 2.8-oz grab-and-go bags and 7.5-oz. gift bags. Flavors include Sparkling Berry Blue, Sparkling Sour Apple, Sparkling Orange, Sparkling Very Cherry and Sparkling Wild Blackberry.
This line includes two new chocolate items, with each chocolate packaged with one of five 3-D lenticular collectible cards. The Chocolate Dinosaur Egg, which is solid milk chocolate with crisped rice molded into Blue the velociraptor, hides a surprise gummy dinosaur in the center. A thin candy shell on the outside is speckled to look like a real dinosaur egg.
Kellogg’s
Exhibit Hall 2033
Kellogg’s Specialty Channels will present several snacks that are sweet, savory or a combination of both.
Pop-Tarts Toaster Pastries is releasing Pop-Tarts Splitz in the latest flavor combinations, Frosted Strawberry & Drizzled Cheesecake and Drizzled Sugar Cookie & Frosted Brownie Batter.
Keebler Whoopsy! Fudge Stripes cookies are the newest Fudge Shoppe cookie available in September that come in a four-pack.
Cheez-It Duoz Caramel Popcorn and Cheddar combine sweet-and-salty flavors and a mix of textures for two snacks in one in an easy-to-grab pack.
Kellogg also is expanding its bar portfolio with Cocoa Krispies Treats along with M&M’S Minis Big Bar, which combine marshmallow and chocolate for sweet, on-the-go snacking.
Also new is Special K Protein Trail Mix Inspired Meal Bars available in Cherry Nut and Pretzel Cashew varieties sold in clear packaging. The bars contain 12 g of protein and are free from artificial flavors and preservatives.
Just Born Quality Confections
Exhibit Hall 1905
The third-generation, family-owned Just Born is based in Bethlehem, Pa. Among the new products that Just Born will unveil are Mike and Ike Mega Mix SOUR!, which the company said is its most intense sour candy yet. This colorful mix features 10 sour fruit-flavored candies in one box, with such flavors as Sour Power Pineapple, Sour Zappin’ Apple and Sour Pucker Punch. The candy has six calories per piece, and is kosher, fat-free and gluten-free. The candy is available in 5-oz. theater boxes and has a suggested retail price of $1 to $1.50.
Also new is Hot Tamales Fire & Ice, with two flavors inside one box: classic Hot Tamales Fierce Cinnamon and new blue Cool Mint-flavored candies. Hot Tamales Fire & Ice is available in a 5-oz. theater box with a suggested retail price ranging from $1to $1.50. The candy has six calories per piece and is kosher, fat-free and gluten-free.
Hershey
Exhibit Hall 1601
In April, Hershey launched a limited-edition Ice Breakers Ice Cubes Glitter Gum Summer Snow Cone, with an icy, cherry snow cone flavor. Each cube is covered with a dusting of edible glitter to maximize its summer look. The gum has a suggested retail price of $3.69 and will be available through the summer.
New products include Reese’s Outrageous, which features caramel and crunchy Reese’s Pieces candy surrounded by creamy peanut butter and covered in milk chocolate. Announced last October, Reese’s Outrageous arrives on retail shelves this month.
Hershey’s Gold, a blend of caramelized crème with peanuts and pretzels in a crunchy crème bar, will also make its Sweets and Snacks Expo debut. The flavor, which was rolled out ahead of the 2018 Winter Olympics, is only the fourth flavor to ever be introduced to the company’s namesake brand.
General Mills
Exhibit Hall 863
M
Here are some of the companies that will attend, and the new products they will highlight.
Mars Wrigley Confectionery U.S.
Exhibit Hall 907
Based in Hackettstown, N.J., but moving to Newark, N.J. in the near future, Mars Wrigley Confectionery U.S. is extending its Extra chewing gum brand into the mints category. Extra Chewy Mints, available in two flavors — peppermint and Polar Ice — are chewable sugar mints packed with the flavor and freshening power of Extra chewing gum. Each mint has a thin, crispy outer shell and a chewy freshening core to deliver flavor and freshness, according to the company. Extra Chewy Mints are available in a 1.5-oz. durable plastic pack with a suggested retail price of $2.19, and a 7.5-oz. pegged stand-up bag with a suggested retail price of $6.99.
Juicy Fruit Collisions is bringing two-flavors-in-one to stick gum, with strawberry-watermelon and Tropical Berry flavor collisions. The gum is available in a 15-stick single-serve pack at the suggested retail price of $1.19, and in a multipack with three 15-stick single-serve packs at the suggested retail price of $2.69.
Milky Way Fudge is a bar made with rich chocolate, golden caramel and fudge nougat, available in both share size and minis. It has a suggested retail price of $1.10.
Starburst Gummies Sour Berries, a new addition to the Starburst Gummies line, contain a variety of sour-packed fruit flavors: strawberry, berry punch, wild berry and black raspberry. They are available in a 3.5-oz. share-size bag, a 5.8-oz. peg bag and an 8-oz. stand-up pouch, with suggested retail prices of $1.79 to $2.59.
White chocolate is gaining in popularity. Twix White Chocolate Cookie Bars feature two crunchy cookie bars covered with caramel and enrobed in white chocolate. This item is available in a 1.79-oz. single size for a suggested retail price of 99 cents to $1.09; a 2.64-oz. 2-to-Go size for a suggested retail price of $1.69 to $1.79; and a fun-size medium bag for a suggested retail price of $3.49 to $4.99.
In September, Mars Wrigley will launch M&M’S White Chocolate Peanut made of peanuts surrounded by white chocolate and a candy shell. Building off the success of M&M’S White Chocolate, M&M’s White Chocolate Peanut will launch in three-pack types: singles, share size, and sharing stand-up pouch, with suggested retail prices ranging from 99 cents to $3.39.
Jelly Belly candy
Exhibit Hall 939
Fairfield, Calif.-based Jelly Belly Candy will debut ice cream-inspired flavors, and two movie-related launches.
Jelly Belly Candy Cones is a new line of ice cream-flavored treats, featuring miniature replicas of ice cream cones in five classic ice cream flavors: vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, mint chip and orange sherbet. Each candy cone piece has a waffle-cone flavor at the bottom with one of the five ice cream flavors on top. Candy cones are mellocreme candies with such ingredients as fondant and marshmallow frappe like the company’s Candy Corn. Candy cones will be available in August in 3-oz. bags and in bulk, with a special gift box coming soon.
The “Incredibles 2” Collection, featuring Disney/Pixar’s super family, will be available in two snackable and shareable package sizes, the company said. With the “Incredibles” sequel released on June 15, Jelly Belly is debuting 1-oz. bags and 2.8-oz. grab-and-go bags featuring character art. Both bags are filled with an assortment of popular Jelly Belly jelly beans, including Berry Blue, Jewel Wild Blackberry, lemon, Sour Orange and Very Cherry. Each 1-oz. bag features stylized character art of one Parr family crime fighter captured in dynamic action. The 1-oz. bags ship in a mixed 24-count caddy. The 2.8-oz. grab-and-go bag features character art of the entire family in their signature uniforms. The bags ship in a 12-count caddy.
The “Jurassic World” Collection, just ahead of the world premiere of “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” in June, includes Jelly Belly jelly beans and chocolate items. The Jurassic Mix, an assortment of five flavors of jelly beans, is available in 1-oz. bags, 2.8-oz grab-and-go bags and 7.5-oz. gift bags. Flavors include Sparkling Berry Blue, Sparkling Sour Apple, Sparkling Orange, Sparkling Very Cherry and Sparkling Wild Blackberry.
This line includes two new chocolate items, with each chocolate packaged with one of five 3-D lenticular collectible cards. The Chocolate Dinosaur Egg, which is solid milk chocolate with crisped rice molded into Blue the velociraptor, hides a surprise gummy dinosaur in the center. A thin candy shell on the outside is speckled to look like a real dinosaur egg.
Kellogg’s
Exhibit Hall 2033
Kellogg’s Specialty Channels will present several snacks that are sweet, savory or a combination of both.
Pop-Tarts Toaster Pastries is releasing Pop-Tarts Splitz in the latest flavor combinations, Frosted Strawberry & Drizzled Cheesecake and Drizzled Sugar Cookie & Frosted Brownie Batter.
Keebler Whoopsy! Fudge Stripes cookies are the newest Fudge Shoppe cookie available in September that come in a four-pack.
Cheez-It Duoz Caramel Popcorn and Cheddar combine sweet-and-salty flavors and a mix of textures for two snacks in one in an easy-to-grab pack.
Kellogg also is expanding its bar portfolio with Cocoa Krispies Treats along with M&M’S Minis Big Bar, which combine marshmallow and chocolate for sweet, on-the-go snacking.
Also new is Special K Protein Trail Mix Inspired Meal Bars available in Cherry Nut and Pretzel Cashew varieties sold in clear packaging. The bars contain 12 g of protein and are free from artificial flavors and preservatives.
Just Born Quality Confections
Exhibit Hall 1905
The third-generation, family-owned Just Born is based in Bethlehem, Pa. Among the new products that Just Born will unveil are Mike and Ike Mega Mix SOUR!, which the company said is its most intense sour candy yet. This colorful mix features 10 sour fruit-flavored candies in one box, with such flavors as Sour Power Pineapple, Sour Zappin’ Apple and Sour Pucker Punch. The candy has six calories per piece, and is kosher, fat-free and gluten-free. The candy is available in 5-oz. theater boxes and has a suggested retail price of $1 to $1.50.
Also new is Hot Tamales Fire & Ice, with two flavors inside one box: classic Hot Tamales Fierce Cinnamon and new blue Cool Mint-flavored candies. Hot Tamales Fire & Ice is available in a 5-oz. theater box with a suggested retail price ranging from $1to $1.50. The candy has six calories per piece and is kosher, fat-free and gluten-free.
Hershey
Exhibit Hall 1601
In April, Hershey launched a limited-edition Ice Breakers Ice Cubes Glitter Gum Summer Snow Cone, with an icy, cherry snow cone flavor. Each cube is covered with a dusting of edible glitter to maximize its summer look. The gum has a suggested retail price of $3.69 and will be available through the summer.
New products include Reese’s Outrageous, which features caramel and crunchy Reese’s Pieces candy surrounded by creamy peanut butter and covered in milk chocolate. Announced last October, Reese’s Outrageous arrives on retail shelves this month.
Hershey’s Gold, a blend of caramelized crème with peanuts and pretzels in a crunchy crème bar, will also make its Sweets and Snacks Expo debut. The flavor, which was rolled out ahead of the 2018 Winter Olympics, is only the fourth flavor to ever be introduced to the company’s namesake brand.
General Mills
Exhibit Hall 863
M