2026 Sweets & Snacks Expo announces The most Innovative New Product Awards winners
Convenience Store News Canada hit the trade show floor to scout the latest candy innovations and uncover the trends turning impulse buyers into returning regulars. CSNC has your inside look at today’s fast-evolving snacking market and shifting consumer tastes.
Held in Las Vegas this year, more than 500 products were submitted into the 2026 innovation awards program. Product submissions were taste-tested by more than 40 judges from leading retailers and distributors.
"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. "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."
The 2026 Sweets & Snacks Expo’s awards program introduced two new top honours – the Trailblazer Award and Powerhouse Award which replace the previous Best in Show and Small Business Innovator categories.
Trends featured "permissible indulgence" where better-for-you snacks like Trü Frü's yogurt-covered snacks and higher-protein meat snacks took the lead.
Self-care through snacking is an emerging trend: Newer products like Belle’s Gourmet Popcorn featured additions such as collagen, vitamins and beauty-inspired ingredients that merge indulgence with self-care.
2026 Sweets & Snacks Trailblazer Award winners
Candy:
Issei Mochi Gummies: Dark Chocolate Covered Cherry
Snack:
Belle’s Gourmet Popcorn: Raspberry Rose (Beauty + Glow) Popcorn
2026 Powerhouse Candy and Snack winners:
Candy:
WARHEADS Loud Mouth Bites | CandyRific
Snack:
Dot's Snack Mix | The Hershey Company
The 2026 Most Innovative New Product Awards winners
- 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.
- Savoury 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