Smart Sweets

In what some have deemed the new wave of candy, brands are actively seeking out new ingredients, textures and global flavors to capture consumers’ attention, and their wallets.

In an impressive fast-growth story, insurgent low-sugar candy brand SmartSweets has sold a majority share to TPG Growth Fund. “It really felt like the right time for a meaningful growth partner in order to have the rocket fuel to really put behind our mission to kick sugar and really amplify it in an accelerated pace with more resources than we’ve ever had before,” founder Tara Bosch told NOSH. As part of the deal, Bosch will step aside as CEO.

Low-sugar confection brand SmartSweets is moving beyond the gummy. The brand this month launched a new, low-sugar Starburst alternative fruit chew. The launch follows a reformulation of its existing product line to embrace newly available sweetener options, including allulose.

Where does a floating grocery store land during a pandemic? What about a curated snack service for office workers? As most daily activities move online, businesses whose plans rely on disrupting the everyday grind with exciting new products need to move forward — including snack services and experientially-focused popup retailers.

Category enhancement and reinvention often comes into view through product innovations scheduled to be seen at Expo West. Here’s a look at the latest products that companies plan to use to redefine sweeter snacks options, across bars, cookies and confection.

With Halloween less then a week away, candy manufacturers are ready for their busiest season. According to new research, Halloween sales in particular should be fairly sweet for producers. And while “clean” products may be the future of the meat category, this week government officials and innovators gathered together to discuss how this emerging category should be regulated. Here’s the news you need to know from this week.

From a dessert hummus company’s national expansion, to a low-sugar candy company’s seasonal play, here is your latest in distribution news.

Just five months after announcing their U.S. debut in Whole Foods Markets, low-sugar candy company SmartSweets is ramping up its mission to kick sugar out of the confection set, launching two new innovations today. The new products will be complimented with an increase in distribution.

From changes within an upcycled ingredient company to sweet additions for a rising candy company, here is the latest hiring news within natural food.