Sweet innovation: Confectionery NPD at SIAL 2024

Celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, SIAL is a flagship event for European and international innovation: with some 400,000 products on show and 285,000 visitors from around the show walking the floor in Paris from October 20-23. 

Confectionery innovation was in no short supply: from imaginative flavors to ethical initiatives, innovations come from all corners of Europe and give just a taste of the buzzing NPD happening around the continent...

Date innovation

True Gum began as a startup in Copenhagen, creating plastic-free chewing gum.

New from the Certified B Corp brand is True Dates: dates which are covered in the flavors of beloved candy classics to create 'an innovative taste sensation that's even better than candy'.

The dates are designed to offer a healthier alternative to traditional candy: one that satisfies cravings without compromising on taste or nutrition.

The dates contain no added sugar, are rich in fiber and come in compostable packaging.

Flavors include cookie dough, liquorice, watermelon, peach, creamy peanut butter, sour cola and more. 

True Dates joins a portfolio that includes True Gum, True Mints and True Drops.

Protein chocolate drops

Slovenian chocolate innovator Leone showcased its AL!VE peanut drops: which come in milk chocolate and white chocolate versions.

The drops are a source of fiber, source of protein and contain contain vitamin A, D, B6, folic acid, B12, zinc and selenium.

They also contain 30% less sugar than similar products of other brands.

The AL!VE brand also extends into ice cream and protein bars, with products including protein ice cream lollies.

Protein pralines

Also playing in the protein category is Polish brand Feel FIT, which already has products such as protein balls, protein granola and energy bars.

At SIAL, Feel Fit displayed its new protein peanut butter pralines. The chocolates are made from Belgium milk chocolate, (UTZ certified) with a peanut butter filling and hint of salt. 

The sweets are made out of 29% peanuts - a source of vitamin B1 - and maltitol to lower the glycemic index.

Mogu mogu

Beverage brand Mogu Mogu was born in Thailand in 2001, but the last few years has seen it expand it across the globe with great success.

The drink has proved a hit with younger consumers thanks to its bright branding, vibrant flavors and the uniqueness of its nata de coco pieces in the drink to add a bite of unexpected texture to the drinking experience.​

Riding the wave of its global success, brand owner Sappe is expanding the brand into chewy sweets.

Cotton candy innovation

French brand La Fabrique a Nuage was launched in July 2023 by two students, Florian Baud and Vanessa Haidu, who now work on their business full time.

A year of R&D resulted in a successful innovation: a sugar-free candyfloss that is able to boast a Nutri-Score A. The product is also free from colorings, allergens, preservatives and is vegan-friendly.

Oat milk chocolate

Scottish chocolate brand Otherly creates its chocolate bars with creamy oat milk.

The packaging is adorned with bespoke characters and scenes created by artist Tomi Um, illustrating adventurous locations such as the beach, the moon, the jungle and the city.

Otherly comes in a range of flavors ranging from the classic (dark chocolate, cherry) to the creative (birthday cake, cold brew coffee).

UP-UP

UK chocolate bar UP-UP can confidently say its chocolate uses 100% child labor-free cocoa: because its point of difference is a very short supply chain.

Most cocoa passes through a long list of smallholders, cooperatives, middle men, manufacturers and brands before it reaches the consumer: making for a convoluted supply chain.

UP-UP, in contrast, sources from a single plantation in Colombia: and by minimizing the supply chain creates a new level of transparency.

The chocolate is also supplied by Geneva-based NGO Slavefreetrade.

Unitopia

Exhibiting via Heritage Food Brands, Belgian artisanal chocolatier Caluwé Artisan highlighted its Unitopia brand of sustainable chocolate pralines.

Available in flavors including chocolate brownie, butterscotch, hazelnut, and pistachio, the chocolates are made with Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa, are free from palm oil, contain only natural ingredients, and the packaging is plastic-free.

E. Wedel's Snack chocolate bars

Polish confectionery major E. Wedel highlighted a new range of milk chocolate bars formulated to appeal to Gen Z consumers.

With flavors including Fizzy Cola, Popcorn, Sour Lemon and Bubble Gum, the chocolates combine flavor and texture profiles to 'excite' the Gen Z cohort who are 'big snackers', company representatives told us at SIAL. According to Mintel, around 25% of Gen Zers snack more than once a day and they also have a preference for unusual flavors.

E. Wedel is already distributing the chocolate bars in major European markets including the UK (through Tesco). Each bar weighs 90g and retails at £1.80 in the UK.