Creative New Products on Display at ISM 2023

ISM is taking place from 23 to 25 April 2023 in Cologne with about 1,300 exhibitors from 70 countries. Product innovations will play a key role at the world’s largest trade fair for sweets and snacks again this year. This is also underlined by the new products overview of the trade fair, which with more than 200 entries presents countless new products. 

The trade show says that health, sustainability and creative flavors are this year’s trends in the sweets and snacks section. More consumers are placing importance on healthy and natural ingredients. Plant-based products and ingredients are still booming which is reflected by creative ideas for enriching foodstuffs with fibers. Vegetable bars with parsnips or jackfruit crisps are just two examples. Instead of being limited down to conventional sorts, the focus lies more on unusual combinations. New flavors with exotic spices like Smoky Tandoori, Bloody Mary or Mussels in White Wine are to increasingly conquer the market.

Natural sweets and snacks are also in demand, because the consumers often prefer them to highly processed foodstuffs.

Upcycling, i.e. the holistic use of raw materials is a further trend. Here manufacturers rely on the sustainable usage of regional ingredients and the use of cocoa fruit in one single product instead of just the beans.

There are several interesting developments in the chocolate section. Here, the companies are relying on attributes like fair trade, low sugar, vegan and unusual flavors. With a view to climate protection these aspects are particularly gaining significance among young consumers.

Plant-based products have also become an integral part of the sweets and snacks section. New examples include a Bulgarian, vegan chocolate that is refined with tender rose petals, as well as gingerbread confectionery covered in plain chocolate that is offered in the flavors lemon and ginger or baked apple. The market for vegan food has been growing rapidly for years, which is due to a growing awareness for the environment, health and animal protection among the consumers.