Ferrero Group and its affiliate, Ferrara Candy Co., won big at the 2019 Product of the Year Awards, sweeping the confectionery categories and one snack category.
Launched more than three decades ago, the consumer-voted Product of the Year Awards are designed to highlight product quality and innovation. Award winners are backed by the votes of 40,000 consumers in a study conducted by research partner Kantar, a global leader in consumer research.
Winning products are announced in February each year and receive the right to use the Product of the Year logo in marketing communications for two years.
Ferrero’s Tic Tac Gum won in the Gum category. Available in Freshmint, Spearmint, Cool Watermelon and Cool Tropical flavors, the gum’s hard shell coating offers a crunchy first bite. Its resealable, transparent plastic box and small pieces allow for easy on-the-go consumption.
Kinder Joy, launched by Ferrero in 2017, took the Kids Novelty Snack category. The surprise-inside treat is encased in a plastic egg with separately sealed halves. One half features smooth cocoa and sweet cream topped with crispy wafer bites, and the other half has a mystery toy.
“Ferrero’s founding and history is rooted in creating exceptional quality products that consumers love and enjoy,” said Jim Klein, v.p. of sales and customer marketing, Ferrero U.S.A., Inc. “This recognition both cements Ferrero as a leader within the Gum and Kids Novelty Snack categories, and demonstrates our commitment to bringing excitement to U.S. consumers through innovation in the confectionery industry.”
Butterfinger, placed under the Ferrara Candy Co. umbrella after Ferrero’s acquisition of the former Nestlé brands, was named the winner of the Candy Bar category. Ferrara announced last year it would improve Butterfinger’s ingredient quality and freshness.
Voters also chose Ferrara’s Black Forest Classic Gummy Bears as winner of the Sugar Confections category. Last summer, Ferrara reformulated the bears with improved brightness and clarity to the shape, as well as by adding a tree stamped on the belly of each bear.
Black Forest Classic Gummy Bears have natural and artificial flavors to deliver a bolder taste. Additionally, real plant sources such as black carrot juice, beta-carotene, spirulina extract and turmeric create the gummies’ bright colors.
“We are honored that our Black Forest Classic Gummy Bears have been selected as a 2019 Product of the Year Award winner,” said Meghan Erickson, senior brand manager. “Black Forest uses real fruit juice and colors from real sources to create soft and chewy gummies that are full of juicy flavor. We are on a mission to create delicious treats that consumers can enjoy eating, and we’re thrilled that the quality ingredients and delicious fruity flavors of these award-winning gummies resonated with consumers across the nation.”
Mondelez International’s Oreo Thin Bites took the Cookie Category, while CVS Health’s Gold Emblem Abound White Cheddar Flavored Bite-sized Quinoa & Rice Cakes were named the best Better-For-You Snack.
