LATEST TRICK-OR-TREATS GIVE YOU SOMETHING GOOD TO EAT

New industry survey by the National Confectioners Association reveals new “better for you” options; portion-controlled treats remain popular this Halloween

Vienna, Va. (October 1, 2008) — For the 93 percent of kids who will trick-or-treat this year, Halloween candy bags will be filled with more variety than ever before, including more health-minded product options available alongside the classic treats, according to a recent industry wide survey by the National Confectioners Association (NCA) and national Datamonitor reports.

While traditional candy can be part of a healthy, active lifestyle, health and wellness trends continue to shape the U.S. food market. Since 2005, the confectionery industry has responded to market demands by introducing hundreds of portion-controlled, calorie-controlled, reduced-fat, sugar-free and fortified products. This Halloween, trick-or-treaters can expect to see dozens of these “better for you” treats filling their pumpkins and pillowcases.

A recent survey of leading candy manufacturers revealed the following health-minded Halloween treats for 2008: Hershey®’s Snacksters® S’mores 100-calorie Snack Mix, 100-calorie pack Swedish Fish® and 100-calorie pack Sour Patch Kids® (Cadbury Adams USA LLC), Sugar-free Pumpkin PEEPS® (Just Born, Inc.), AirHeads® Mini bars (Perfetti van Melle USA, Inc.), 100-calorie Skinny Hunk bar (Annabelle Candy Co., Inc.), Mars’ Kudos® Chocolate Chip Granola Bars with 25 percent DV of calcium and individually wrapped Sunkist® Fruit Gems® from Jelly Belly, each providing 10 percent DV of Vitamin C. In addition, snack-sizes of classic candy bars like the Mars’ MilkyWay® Bar, Hershey®’s Milk Chocolate Bar and Nestlé® Crunch® Bar are available.

In fact, overall three-fourths of consumers said bite-size chocolate treats are their favorite type of candy for Halloween while another 70 percent of parents admitted that it was their favorite treat to sneak from their kids’ goody bags, according to a national NCA Halloween poll.

“The snack-size candy bar has been a Halloween favorite of moms and trick-or-treaters for years,” said National Confectioners Association Vice President of Communications Susan Fussell. “Today, manufacturers are offering these favorites and new portion-controlled products so consumers can easily enjoy treats in moderation anytime of year.”
National Data Reveals Industry’s Growth in New, Healthier Alternatives
Datamonitor, a leading, unbiased provider of database and analysis services for key industry sectors, reported that the confectionery industry continues to grow this category:

Sugar-free product releases increased 51 percent from 2006 to 2007.
New portion-controlled products more than doubled from 2005 to 2006 and then grew 22 percent in 2007.
Fat-free product introductions have remained steady and strong with more than 100 new options available every year since 2005.
New organic products increased 20 percent from 2004 to 2005, and then spiked 163 percent in 2006 and another 4 percent in 2007.
From January through August 2008 alone, 159 new functional candies (products providing nutrients like calcium, protein, fiber, etc.) were released; as compared to 154 functional candies that hit the market in 2007 overall.

NCA Guides Parents on a Happy, Healthy Halloween
“Halloween is also a great time to spark a discussion with your kids about how to enjoy candy as part of a healthy and active lifestyle,” said Fussell.

The NCA offers the following tips for parents to enjoy a happy, healthy Halloween:

Eat before you trick-or-treat. Serve a nutritious dinner before your children set out for a night of candy-collecting. Your kids will be happier and more full, which will help reduce the temptation to eat candy at each trick-or-treat stop. During the meal, take the opportunity to discuss Halloween safety, as well as the importance of healthy eating and lifestyle choices.
Sort and save. Allow your kids to enjoy some of their Halloween bounty. Then work with them to portion out two or three treats in small bags. Create a week’s-worth of bags to accompany nutritious school lunches or to serve as after-school snacks.
Mix things up. To give candy a healthy punch, consider making your own trail mix. Combine raisins, peanuts and even cereal with your child’s favorite candy or chocolate treat.
Practical pairings and portion control. Try pairing caramels with an apple or a snack-sized candy bar with a banana.
Make it or break it. Most candies now come in snack-size. For the ones that don’t, break them into sections and store them separately to make your own miniature sizes!

For more on Halloween celebrations, check out NCA’s Tricks and Treats for a Ghoulishly Fun Halloween and Treat Smarts: A Guide to Nutrition and Activity. Both are available at www.candyusa.org. And visit NCA’s new candy blog at www.candydishblog.com for more on Halloween and industry news.

About the National Confectioners Association (NCA): Founded in 1884 in Chicago by representatives of 69 confectionery manufacturing firms, the National Confectioners Association is one of the oldest, most respected trade associations in the world. Today NCA has more than 600 members and is the major association representing the entire confectionery industry, offering education and leadership in manufacturing, technical research, public relations, retailing practices, government relations and statistical analyses. NCA fosters industry growth by advancing and promoting the interests of the confectionery industry, its customers and its consumers.

About NCA’s Health and Wellness Industry Audit: The National Confectioners Association conducted an online survey of confectionery manufacturers nationwide, fielded July 20 to August 20, 2008 through an independent, third party data collection service, Informz Inc. The sample was drawn from 320 NCA member companies representing the industry. The original survey instrument contained 25+ questions regarding product formulation and health initiatives.

About Datamonitor: Datamonitor is a leading provider of online database and analysis services for key industry sectors. Through proprietary databases and expertise, Datamonitor provides unbiased analysis and in-depth forecasts for seven industry sectors including Consumer Markets, Energy, Financial Services, Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare, Technology, Transport and Logistics.

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