Innovation reigns at Sweets & Snacks Expo: Butterfinger popcorn

Butterfinger Candy Pop stands out at the Sweets and Snacks convention this week. Check out the article below from the Chicago Tribune! 

Chicago Tribune: Contact Reporter

Sweet and Savory met this week at McCormick Place, and brought with them funky fun flavors such as honey sriracha, cauliflower pretzels and organic dried veggies and nuts smothered in salt and pepper.

The annual Sweets & Snacks Expo is where food manufacturers show off a smorgasbord of flavors in new products, with the hopes of enticing retailers to make room on their shelves. This year’s assortment featured 800 companies spread out over about 4 acres that were seeking a piece of what market research firm IRI says is a $25 billion treats market. The event isn’t open to the public.

Here are some of the trends that stood out:

Over-the-top treats reign. Among the newcomers: candy coated popcorn, like Nestle’s Butterfinger candy smothered over popcorn, or Reese’s Outrageous! Bar, with milk chocolate, Reese’s Pieces and the currently superhot candy ingredient: caramel.