Candy for Contemporary Consumers
by Renee Covino and Mary Ellen Kuhn
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More than 19,000 members
of the confectionery industry crowded the aisles at the 2004 All Candy
Expo, and it’s likely that all have a different perspective on what
constitutes this year’s newest news and hottest trends. Here’s
an overview of some of the key trends that Confectioner editors identified.
Cutting those carbs. Reducing
carb consumption is America’s latest dietary obsession, and that fact
is not lost on candy makers, who have responded with a myriad of new
carb-reduced product options.
Hershey is all over this trend. The company’s 1
Gram Sugar Carb Bars are designed to appeal to very serious carb-cutters.
For consumers interested in a more moderate carb reduction, the company
offers its Carb Alternatives Line formulated with 50 percent fewer sugar
carbs. The line includes Carb Alternatives versions of Hershey Kisses, Kit
Kat, Hershey’s with Almond Bars and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.
Nestlé’s big move on this front is the
rollout of Nestlé Crunch Sugar Free Carb Select items with 3.5 to 4
grams of impact carbs per serving. Nestlé chose Crunch from among
its many brands for the carb reduction because it’s such a long-time
consumer favorite, reports spokeswoman Tricia Bowles.
Gifting the one we love! For
consumers seeking to reward themselves for coping with life’s daily
hassles, candy can be a sweet choice. The folks at Seattle Chocolate have
come up with a concept designed to fill that bill for women—the new
Chick Chocolates. Packaging is fun, colorful and slightly edgy. Because
they’re opening a box to get to the product, women are interacting
with the candy as if it is a gift, explains Seattle/Chick Chocolates CEO
Jean Thompson.
The fortification factor.
Candy makers are serving up a variety of new offerings with something extra
added. Chupa Chups is introducing lollipops sure to appeal to parents and
kids. They’re fruit-flavored and fortified with Vitamin C.
Chargers Candy from Melate Inc. combines a chocolate
coating with espresso beans. It’s a sweet way to deliver a healthy
dose of caffeine.
And then there are Got Milk Wafers from Sherwood
Brands. They’re calcium-fortified wafers in chocolate and vanilla
flavors pumped up with added iron and vitamins A, C, D and E.
Forget that cup of coffee for energy—Vroom
Foods, Inc. has more portable options in its Buzz Bites Chocolate Chew and
Foosh Energy Mint. One mint or chew has the energy equivalent of a cup of
coffee’s worth of caffeine (100 mg.) plus 5 B Vitamins, ginseng and
taurine. “They are perfect for people with a fast-paced lifestyle as
they are portable, affordable and a powerful alternative to energy drinks
or coffee,” says Jason Kensey, president.
More licenses to love. Licensed
candy has an energy all its own. The competition has heated up for
manufacturers who are eager to power up their lines. “We have to push
for hot licenses and get them first,” says Dave Jupp, director of
packaging and design for Imaginings 3. The novelty candy manufacturer has
added Spiderman, Kim Possible, The Incredibles and Lil’ Bratz to many
of its popular candy “art” forms such as TV Dispenser, Push
Puppet, Pocket Slider, Sticker Dispenser, Pocket Pop and Pop Flipper.
Meanwhile, seasonal candy player, R.M. Palmer Company
has gone the opposite route—introducing Marvel Super Heroes Spiderman
and the Incredible Hulk licenses into an everyday chocolate line, as well
as in its seasonal lines such as Valentine’s.
A quick trip to the tropics. New tropical and exotic
fruit candy flavors seem to play on the fact that consumers of all ages are
using confectionery treats as a mini-escape. Cadbury Adams has introduced Trident
Tropical Twist sugarless gum, as well as Dentyne Tango. “Fruit-flavored
gum is the second biggest flavor segment in the category, and we want to provide
consumers with a fresh, new fruit flavor that really lasts,” says Richard
Yoder, senior brand manager for Trident. Nestlé’s Wonka brand has
added a new limited edition tropical flavor to its Nerds Rope line.
Correction
The June issue of Confectioner listed Asher Candy Co. as the maker of Asher’s Grab ‘n Go line and an affiliate of Sherwood Brands, Souderton, Pa., which is incorrect. Asher’s Chocolates, Souderton, Pa., makes the Grab ‘n Go line, has been has been manufacturing chocolate confections since 1892 and remains a family owned and operated company.
Sherwood Brands Acquisitions merged with Asher Candy Acquisition Corp., of New Hyde Park, N.Y., in 2002, and has since renamed it Asher Candy Inc. Confectioner regrets the error.
The June issue of Confectioner listed Asher Candy Co. as the maker of Asher’s Grab ‘n Go line and an affiliate of Sherwood Brands, Souderton, Pa., which is incorrect. Asher’s Chocolates, Souderton, Pa., makes the Grab ‘n Go line, has been has been manufacturing chocolate confections since 1892 and remains a family owned and operated company.
Sherwood Brands Acquisitions merged with Asher Candy Acquisition Corp., of New Hyde Park, N.Y., in 2002, and has since renamed it Asher Candy Inc. Confectioner regrets the error.