4 Nonchocolate Sweets With a New Approach

CHICAGO — Whether it is a new flavor, design or size, candy brands are transforming existing products on a new level.

Click through to see innovations from the American Licorice Co., Tic Tac, CandyRific and Hilco ...

The American Licorice Co., based in La Parte, Ind., developed Sweet Bites, an alternative to Sour Punch Bites without the sour flavor. The 5-ounce bags of candy come in four flavors: Dream Berry, Passion Punch, Grateful Grape and Cotton Candy.

Parsippany, N.J.-based Tic Tac, a Ferrero brand, released its Tropical Adventure flavor, which is a mash-up of four flavors: pineapple, passionfruit, banana and mango.

"Fans love our current fruity offerings, so we're excited to give them more of what they enjoy while introducing new flavors with our Tropical Adventure innovation" said Dan Cutchin, vice president of Marketing at Tic Tac North America.

The new Tic Tac flavor is available in a 1-ounce single pack and a 3.4-ounce bottle pack.

CandyRific, based in Louisville, Ky., expanded its Light Up Talkers line with Disney Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse and Marvel’s Spidey and Ghost-Spider-themed talkers. When the button is pressed, lights flash on and off and themed music plays.

The talkers contain 0.53-ounces of assorted fruit-flavored dextrose candies. The suggested retail price is $6.99, and the product ships in three, six-count displays per case.

Louisville, Ky.-based Hilco expanded its line with Kraft Heinz and launched Kool-Aid Sour Belts. The candy comes in four flavors: Tropical Punch, Cherry, Grape and Strawberry Kiwi.

The Sour Belts are a dusted flat licorice-like candy.

They ship in four, 12-count displays per case, and have a suggested retail price of $1.99.