GERMANY | Innovations have always been the driving force behind the sweets and snacks industry.
New ingredients, surprising textures, creative flavour profiles and sustainable manufacturing and packaging concepts shape the development of unique products. At ISM, the leading global trade fair for sweets and snacks, the industry's most pioneering new products were once again recognised.
In the scope of the New Product Showcase Award, an independent panel of experts honoured outstanding innovations that convince both in terms of taste and concept. The award-winning products stand for courageous experimenting, high quality and a clear market orientation and impressively demonstrate how enjoyment, functionality and sustainability can be combined.
156 submitted products from 90 companies in 23 countries were evaluated by the jury and presented in 102 high-quality display cases in the New Product Showcase. The jury comprises renowned experts from the industry, trade and world of science.
The three most outstanding innovations were awarded prizes in a ceremony on the Talks & Tasting Stage in Hall on Sunday, the 1st of February 2026. Visitors can view the award-winning products in the New Product Showcase area in Lab5 by ISM, in Hall 10.1, throughout the trade fair.
The top 3 winners of the New Product Showcase Awards 2026
1st place: CandyGlam (Spain) – CREATINE Gummy Bar with chocolate (70%)
CandyGlam impressed the jury with an innovative product idea that builds on the trend towards functional sweets. The energy bar integrates CREAVITALIS® creatine monohydrate, an ingredient that is primarily familiar from the supplement section to date, into a sweet format suitable for daily use.
The bar surprises in terms of flavour with its harmonious combination of natural banana and 70 percent plain chocolate. The jury particularly praised the strong market orientation, the high product quality and the successful balancing act between function and enjoyment.
2nd place: Chocolaterie Carré (Belgium) – Chocolate Espresso Martini Pearls
Chocolaterie Carré perfectly captured one of the major taste trends of 2026 with its Chocolate Espresso Martini Pearls. The jury was particularly impressed by the excellent taste and high-quality execution. A refined, dark chocolate pearl with a wafer-thin coat of sugar filled with a liquid espresso martini cocktail.
The recipe has a precise balance between espresso, vodka and coffee liqueur - a trendy cocktail interpretation of first-class artisan quality.
3rd place: Gottfried Wicklein GmbH & Co. KG (Germany) – "Cinnamon Roll" Biscuit Bar
Gottfried Wicklein convinced the jury with a particularly original innovation: the first ever Christmas biscuit bar. A traditional product segment that is considered difficult to innovate was transformed into a totally new form and modern format.
In terms of taste, the biscuit creation delighted with its intense cinnamon aroma and harmonious sweetness. The jury particularly recognised the successful combination of tradition and trend as well as the high-quality design.
The New Product Showcase has been the central platform for the most innovative new products of the international sweets and snacks industry since 2009. The special exhibition in Lab5 by ISM (Hall 10.1) offers trade visitors and decision-makers from around the world a compact overview of current trends, pioneering concepts, and creative indulgence ideas.
In the context of the New Product Showcase Award, ISM is once again underscoring its role as a global trendsetter and innovation platform for the industry.
