Nicknamed the snack food capital of the world, Pennsylvania ranks first in the production of chocolate, potato chips and pretzels, with more than 2,300 food processing and manufacturing companies based in the "Keystone State." 

Igniting innovationIt can start as a mere spark of an idea, gaining momentum in the intense heat of the moment. As it travels from creation to concept, all sorts of

Popping chocolateTHE COMPANY: Zeta Espacial S.A., Barcelona, Spain (distributed in the U.S. by Pop Rocks Inc., Atlanta) THE PRODUCT: Pop Rocks Chocolate BarTHE HOOK: Pop Rocks are more than a

THE COMPANY: Explorer’s Bounty, MiamiTHE PRODUCT: Artisan panned dark chocolatesTHE HOOK: Explorer’s Bounty introduces a healthier way to enjoy chocolate with its dark chocolate organic panned nuts and beans. The

THE COMPANY: Big Sky Brands, TorontoTHE PRODUCT: Jones Soda Carbonated CandyTHE HOOK: Jones Soda Co. takes its carbonation into the candy category with its new Carbonated Candy. The bubbly candy

THE COMPANY: Crown Candies LLC, Duluth, Ga.THE PRODUCT: Gourmet Caramel CandiesTHE HOOK: For five generations the Aguas-Hernandez family has produced “borrachitos.” Finally, Crown Candies is introducing “borrachitos” into the U.S.

THE COMPANY: Anthon Berg, Ballerup, DenmarkTHE PRODUCT: Chocolate-covered almond tart with raspberry in orange liqueurTHE HOOK: Danish chocolate manufacturer Anthon Berg has added a new chocolate to its Marzipan and

THE COMPANY: Green & Black’s, Parsippany, N.J.THE PRODUCT: Cherry and Dark chocolatesTHE HOOK: Organic chocolate company Green & Black’s has introduced two new flavors to its chocolate line. In the

THE COMPANY: Lindt & Sprüngli USA, Stratham, N.H.THE PRODUCT: Excellence Chili barTHE HOOK: Gourmet chocolate company Lindt & Sprungli has made a new addition to its signature Excellence Bar Collection.

South Africa’s leading branded food and healthcare company, Tiger Brands Limited, has announced plans to purchase 74.7% of shares of chocolate manufacturer Chococam, located in Cameroon, Nigeria, from Barry Callebaut.