CANDY COUNTER
What's New in Hard,
Gummy and Chewy Candies
Label-reading has infiltrated the candy aisle, with more consumers
wanting cleaner ingredients even in their indulgences. But flavor
punches still draw the masses, as candies get creative with salt, sour
and downright surprising flavors. Here's what you need to know.
BY NICOLE POTENZA DENIS
W
hile chocolate tends to steal the spotlight with ever-innovating flavors, confections like gummies,
lollipops, caramels and licorice continue to evolve as well with new ingredients, flavors and inventive products—and consumers are responding. In its December 2012 report, "Non-Chocolate
Confectionery," market research firm Mintel International estimated that sales of non-chocolate confectionery
reached $6.1 billion, representing a 34 percent growth since 2007. Mintel forecasts that the category will grow
another 15 percent through 2017, as consumers enjoy creative products and continue to perceive many of these
items as affordable indulgences.
PHOTO: STOCKFOOD
MAY/JUNE 2013
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