Al Allured dies at 86

Confectionery publisher lived and loved the industry.

Al Allured was literally born into the confectionery world — inheriting his role with The Manufacturing Confectioner from his parents, who started the publication. The respected confectionery chronicler of business and technical articles passed away just days after attending the Sweets and Snacks Expo in Chicago.

Al Allured

Allured, died Tuesday at 86 years old.

“Through his dedication to, and belief in, the people of the confectionery industry, Allen Allured has become widely known and respected in the industry,” reads his bio on The Manufacturing Confectioner website. “His advice and perspective on key industry issues has been widely sought out by industry leaders as well as small one-person businesses. Building upon his parents' vision, he has become the most knowledgeable person in the industry today and has been widely recognized by the industry.”

Born January 11, 1927, in Oak Park, Ill., Al graduated from Oak Park High School and attended Kenyon, Illinois and Colorado Colleges. He served in both World War II and the Korean War before joining Manufacturing Confectioner and Candy Buyers’ Directory, trade publications founded in 1921 by his parents, Prudence and Earl, according to information from the Candy Hall of Fame, which he was inducted into in 1998.

As a near lifelong member of the confectionery industry, he was often recognized for his contributions.

In 1978, the National Confectioners Association named Allured Man of the Year. That same year, he was named Man of the Year for the Association of Manufacturers of Confectionery and Chocolate, according to his bio on The Manufacturing Confectioner website.

In 1982, he was a guest of the Queen of Holland as the U.S. representative for the chocolate and confectionery industry at the Dutch-U.S. Bicentennial in 1982.

Then, in 1993, Allen received the Stroud Jordan Award, which is given to a person for their "devotion to the candy technology, their sustaining interest in the production of quality candy and for contributions to the confectionery industry."

Allured was also the first recipient of the National Confectioners Association's Public Service award.

In addition, he received the National Candy Wholesalers Association's Certificate of Recognition as a distinguished Dean of the Confectionery Industry, the RCA of Philadelphia award "for long continued service in the interest of all manufacturing retailers," the Silver Dish award from the Candy Brokers Association and the Biscuit and Cracker Technical Award.

Crystal Lindell, Former editor-in-chief of Candy Industry Magazine. While here she has worked on Candy Industry Magazine, Food Engineering Magazine and Food Safety Strategies. She holds a master’s degree in public affairs reporting from the University of Illinois – Springfield and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Western Illinois University. And her favorite breakfast is a cup of espresso and Twix bar.