Creative products on display at ISM

ISM has kicked off in Cologne, Germany this year, as 1300 exhibitors representing from 70 countries will be on show, with product……

Share this article:

ISM has kicked off in Cologne, Germany this year, as 1300 exhibitors representing from 70 countries will be on show, with product innovations taking a key role for the sweets and snacks industry again. More than 200 entries will present countless new products.

Health, sustainability and creative flavours will be major trends in the sweets and snacks section, as new products presented at ISM 2023 will not only pick up on these trends but set new ones.

As consumers become more conscious of what they consume, this places greater importance on healthy and natural ingredients. Manufacturers are responding to this with products like fruit gums made of vitamin C and zinc or organic teething biscuits for children. Plant-based products and ingredients are booming, reflected by new product releases made of fibre.

Vegetable bars with parsnips or jackfruit crisps are two examples. New flavours with exotic spices like Smoky Tandoori, Bloody Mary or Mussels in white wine are set to conquer the market.

Upcycling raw materials is another trend, where manufacturers rely on the sustainable use of regional ingredients and the use of cocoa fruit in one product instead of just the beans.

According to the BDSI, 39% of consumers in Germany state the theme of sustainability is important to them when buying sweets. This year’s trends and the products presented at ISM show that manufacturers are responding to consumer needs and are developing their portfolio accordingly.

In the chocolate sector, companies are relying on attributes like fair trade, low sugar, vegan and unusual flavours. Plant-based products have become an integral part of the sweets and snacks section. New examples include a Bulgarian vegan chocolate that is refined with rose petals, and gingerbread confectionery covered in plain chocolate that is offered in lemon, ginger or baked apple.

A colourful selection of different products will be presented at ISM such as vegan chocolate, Easter bunnies and Santas, marshmallows and fruit gums.

Stay up-to-date on the latest industry news and exclusives in our magazine.

Never miss a story… Follow us on:
LinkedIn International Confectionery
Twitter logo @InConfectionery
Facebook @InConfectionery

Media contact

Caitlin Gittins
Editor, International Confectionery
Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 920
Email: [email protected]

About International Confectionery

International Confectionery is the leading authority in global confectionery content, delivering expert news, in-depth articles, exclusive interviews, and industry insights across print, digital, and event platforms. Published 10 times a year, the magazine is a trusted resource for professionals seeking updates and analysis on the latest developments in the confectionery sector.

To submit an article, or for sponsorship opportunities, please contact our team below.

Joseph Clarke Picture

Joseph Clarke

Senior Editor

Steve Blakebrough Picture

Steve Blakebrough

Sales Manager

Afua Akoto Picture

Afua Akoto

Marketing Manager

Related News

KitKat Nestle

KitKat Drives Formula 1 Excitement

Nestlé International Travel Retail (NITR) has brought the excitement of the KitKat and Formula 1® partnership to travellers at Singapore Changi Airport through a high-impact activation combining immersive brand experiences, personalisation and travel retail-exclusive products.
EXBERRY colour selection

GNT Secures ISO Carbon Verification

GNT has become one of the first food colour manufacturers worldwide to have its Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) methodology independently verified in line with the ISO standard.
NSD

Celebrating US National Real Sugar Day

The Sugar Association will celebrate National Real Sugar Day on October 15 by recognising real sugar’s role as a real, recognisable ingredient in real food. This year’s celebration also highlights that real sugar is rooted in nature and is at the heart of real recipes and scratch cooking.
Anuga India

SACMI highlights integrated chocolate processing

SACMI Packaging & Chocolate is showcasing its latest chocolate processing and packaging technologies at Anuga FoodTec India 2026, highlighting an integrated portfolio spanning production, wrapping, handling and secondary packaging.
Anuga India

Anuga FoodTec India is Open

Anuga FoodTec India 2026 has opened its doors in Mumbai, bringing together food and beverage technology suppliers from around the world for three days of processing, packaging and manufacturing innovation.
Chocolate

Nestlé appoints Group General Counsel

Nestlé’s Board of Directors has appointed Manuela Bernasconi, currently General Counsel for Zone Americas, as Group General Counsel and a member of the Group Executive Board, effective 1 January 2027. After seven years as Nestlé’s Group General Counsel, Leanne Geale will retire.
Confectionery Packaging

Smart confectionery packaging 

Assistant Editor Katie Tracy examines how PPWR, GS1 Sunrise 2027, smart labels and 2D QR coding are reshaping compliance across confectionery packaging lines.
Stella

STELLA launches 2 new flavours

On 1 October 2026, STELLA will launch its new Matcha Strawberry Ube bar: a combination of fresh matcha, fruity strawberry and purple ube that is currently unique in Swiss chocolate
Scroll to Top