The 2006 All Candy Expo is on right now in Chicago. It started yesterday and goes though tomorrow and it is the biggest confectionary show in the country. There are tons of vendors, both well-established companies and upstarts with innovative new products, that are sampling their product lines at the show, as well as lots of people interested in buying the candy for retail at stores and other venues. The show is closed to anyone who isn't in the candy trade or the press, but luckily, there is already some information spilling out about what we can expect to see in stores in the coming year.
The Chicago Sun Times gives us a heads-up to watch out for candies that are fortified, which look to be one of the hot new trends in the market this year. There will be gum with Vitamin C and chocolates with calcium and omega-3s.
On another healthy note, the Chicago Tribune mentions that portion and calorie controlled candies are a huge hit, too, despite the fact that a huge number of snacks (like Hershey's Kisses) have been available in small sizes for years. Perhaps people just need to be told about portion control.
Candyblog blogger, Cybele, is at the show and is blogging from the floor. You can read all about her experiences here and there is no doubt that she will have lots of great reviews coming up in the next week or so.
Among the products launching are dark chocolate M&Ms (non limited edition), Snickers with Almonds Dark, Starburst Berries and Cream flavors and Tung-Toos.
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