NCA announces winners of the 2021 Most Innovative New Product Awards

The National Confectioners Association (NCA) has announced the recipients of the 2021 Most Innovative New Product Awards.

Presented before the Sweets & Snacks Expo, these awards recognize the most innovative candy and snack products introduced to the market over the past two years.

"The Most Innovative New Product Awards continue to highlight the innovation that pushes our industry forward, and we celebrate the creativity that makes the confectionery and snack categories shine," said NCA President and CEO John Downs. "For many consumers, candy and snacks played a central role over the past 18 months in making ordinary moments a little more special, and these new products will make getting back to the things that we love to do this summer even more fun.”

The submitted products were judged by retail and category thought leaders from leading retailers such as Costco, Walgreen’s and 7-Eleven. The awards attracted more than 300 entries and recognized 55 products in 11 categories, as well as Best In Show and Small Business Innovator, which recognize the judges’ favorite product and an up-and-coming innovative company, respectively.

The winners of the Most Innovative New Products Awards are as follows:

Best in Show
Nerds Gummy Clusters
Ferrara Candy Company

Small Business Innovator
Banana Bites
BranchOut

Chocolate
Reese’s Big Cup with Pretzels
The Hershey Company

Non-Chocolate
efrutti Bakery Shoppe Bag
Mederer U.S.A., Inc.

Gum & Mints
Mentos Gum Paperboard Bottle
Perfetti Van Melle USA, Inc.

Salty Snacks
Wonderful Pistachios No Shells Sea Salt & Vinegar
Wonderful Pistachios

Sweet Snacks
Nature’s Strawberries Hyper-Chilled Frozen Fresh in White Chocolate & Milk Chocolate
TruFru LLC

Meat Snacks
Tripi’s Sweet Spicy Original
Pure Jerky Co

Savory Snacks
Torti Max
Indiana Import LLC

Novelty/Licensed Candy & Snacks
Harry Potter Backpack Clips with Mystery Flavor PEZ Candy
Pez Candy, Inc.

Seasonal – Candy & Snacks
Nerds Candy Corn
Ferrara Candy Company