Confectionery
Confectionery Insights
Our experts discuss emerging trends shaping the confectionery space.
Gretchen Hadden
Integrated Marketing Communications Director
One of the big themes is “better-for-you” indulgence. From a chocolate perspective, there is growing interest in reduced-sugar options.
Courtney LeDrew
Customer Marketing Manager
I’ve also seen brands adding functional ingredients. According to Nielsen, products with a “health and wellness” claim are growing faster than conventional confectionery.
Jana Mauck
Category Marketing Manager, Snacks & Cereal
Our research indicated one of consumers' top unmet needs in chocolate confectionery is that it tastes good and is health-conscious.
Dr. Janice Johnson
Food Technical Advisor
It’s all about "permissible indulgences." Consumers want a treat they can feel good about enjoying – and ingredients can help shape that image.
Formulation Tips
Better-for-you Indulgence
Courtney LeDrew
Customer Marketing Manager
Indulgence will remain a big driver for confectionery, but there’s also white space for products that can introduce a better-for-you twist.
Dr. Janice Johnson
Food Technical Advisor
It's about delivering a complete sensory package. Sea salt and our new Pink Himalayan salt offer a beautiful aesthetic and exciting crunch.
Courtney LeDrew
Customer Marketing Manager
In reduced-sugar confectionery, sensory characteristics can be a challenge. We have a range of solutions that offer formulation flexibility.
Cocoa & Chocolate
Gretchen Hadden
Integrated Marketing Communications Director
Consumers are clamoring for premium-quality, dairy-free choices. Our oat-based chocolate coating tastes great and has a rich, creamy mouthfeel – just like chocolate should!
Courtney LeDrew
Customer Marketing Manager
Our recent ClaimTracker™ consumer research found that “made with real chocolate” is the most-impactful claim for chocolate candy.
Gretchen Hadden
Integrated Marketing Communications Director
Single-origin chocolate imparts a unique flavor profile that provides a premium experience.
Label Claims
Courtney LeDrew
Customer Marketing Manager
Package claims that imply “natural” tend to have the greatest purchase influence. “Natural flavors” tops the list for sugar confectionery.
Dr. Janice Johnson
Food Technical Advisor
IngredienTracker™ research shows that consumers value sea salt and Pink Himalayan salt more than traditional salt… that translates to products with these ingredients.
Courtney LeDrew
Customer Marketing Manager
Whether it’s low-sugar licorice or sugar-free caramels, consumers are looking for less sugar – and candy makers are working overtime to deliver.
Sustainability
Jana Mauck
Category Marketing Manager, Snacks & Cereal
Our full line of RSPO-certified segregated palm products allows brands to trace their origination all the way to the palm plantation.
Gretchen Hadden
Integrated Marketing Communications Director
Promise-Verified cocoa offers customers sustainably produced cocoa sourced directly from known and trusted sources, plus tracking through our CocoaWise® digital platform.
Jana Mauck
Category Marketing Manager, Snacks & Cereal
Sustainability is growing in importance. From packaging to ingredients, consumers and retailers will continue to push for planet- and farmer-positive choices.
Download the 2024 report, What’s Hot in Confectionery, for more details.
No-Sugar-Added Chocolatey Candy
Made with EverSweet® stevia sweetener + ClearFlo™ natural flavor, it tastes like milk chocolate – with an indulgent, chocolatey flavor and mouthfeel – and without the bitterness or sweetness linger often found in no-sugar-added products.
Caramels with Sea Salt Topping
Multi-sensory indulgence in a single bite. Our rich, buttery-soft caramels are topped with large crystals of natural sea salt for a sweet/salty, creamy/crunchy experience.
Lemon/Ginger-Flavored Functional Gummies
Zingy, lemon-ginger gummies feature EpiCor® postbiotic and vitamin E for immune support. Plant-based pectin delivers label-friendly texture.
Zero-Sugar Gummies
EverSweet® stevia sweetener and UniPECTINE® make it possible to create label-friendly gummies with no added sugar and a consumer-pleasing, softer bite.
