oomph! Sweets is launching its line of low-sugar, functional gummies and chews at this year’s Natural Products Expo East.

Backed by Science, Inc., the multi-asset investment firm behind water brand Liquid Death, and formulated by Michelin Star Chef Paul Shoemaker, oomph! Sweets’ presence at the industry trade show marks its public introduction.

oomph! products are sweetened with allulose — a naturally-occurring sugar found in fruits, like figs and raisins — and deliver a modern makeup of functional ingredients, like acerola cherry, lion’s mane and apple cider vinegar, to support a healthy mind and body.

“Candy should be, feel and exude fun; yet somewhere along the way, it’s gotten a bad rap for being laden with hard-to-pronounce ingredients or artificial flavorings, and leaving sweet-toothed consumers with a sugar crash,” said Michael Lewis, oomph! Sweets founder and general manager. “We’re here to not only put the fun back in candy, but to deliver an experience that feels as good as it tastes. Real ingredients, better nutrition and flavors that, quite literally, hit you like ‘OOMPH!’ in the best way possible”

A CPG veteran, leading several brands in the food and beverage space, Lewis was brought in by Science Inc. to build oomph! and bring the brand to market, beginning with online direct-to-consumer sales and quickly expanding into retail, for omnichannel availability.

"The candy aisle deserves an upgrade, and it's been a pleasure working with the team at oomph! Sweets to bring better ingredients to families without forgoing flavor," said Michael Jones, managing director of Science Inc. "The food and beverage space has always been of deep interest to us at Science, and we can't wait to see how oomph! builds out a better future for candy as we move toward wanting products that are both sweet and functional."

With oomph!, Lewis will utilize the resources and relationships Science has built to deliver a line of low-sugar sweets, beginning with Chews — available in Dark Chocolate, Lemon, Passion Fruit and Green Apple — and Gummies, available in Pineapple, Cherry and Watermelon.

oomph! brought in Michelin-Star Chef Paul Shoemaker to formulate each recipe and add a culinary flare to the candy aisle. Complementing the global techniques and unique culinary philosophy for which Shoemaker’s playful menus regularly reflect, his personality and sophistication honors his distinguished pedigree, stemming from the kitchen of Michelin-starred Bastide, Providence, Alain Ducasse, French Laundry and Water Grill.

All oomph! Sweets are vegan, gluten-free, keto-friendly, low calorie (110 calories or less), low sugar (1 gram of sugar or less), low carb (4-6 grams net carbs), allergen-friendly and made with all-natural ingredients.

oomph! Sweets chews are currently available nationwide and online at oomphsweets.com at a suggested retail price of $4 per bag, with gummies available for purchase online in mid-October.