Chicago – Barry Callebaut was named the winner of the 2022 Ruby Award for Supplier Innovation during the 2022 Sweets & Snacks Expo Awards Ceremony in recognition of its WholeFruit Chocolate, a new chocolate format made from 100% pure cacaofruit.

American Packaging Corporation and Blommer Chocolate Company were named finalists for the award for their respective FSC-Certified Enhanced Paper Pouch and Armstrong Gold Reduced Sugar Chocolate Flavored Drop innovations.

Created in 2018 to celebrate breakthrough innovations from the supplier community that advance the confectionery industry as a whole, the Ruby Award for Supplier Innovation recognizes a National Confectioners Association supplier member company that has presented an innovation in the past year that improves the ability of confectioners to manufacture, distribute, market and/or sell chocolate and candy.

“Innovation in the chocolate and candy industry often starts with our suppliers,” John Downs, president & CEO of the National Confectioners Association, said. “The new flavors, formats and ingredients they develop fuel our industry’s creativity all the way down the confectionery supply chain, all to the benefit of our consumers, who get to enjoy a novel and inventive treat as a result of their innovative spark.”

The 2022 Ruby Award marks the second time Barry Callebaut has received this honor. The Ruby Award for Supplier Innovation was named for its inaugural recipient in 2018: Ruby chocolate, which was also developed by Barry Callebaut.

In addition to the Ruby Award for Supplier Innovation, the previously-announced Golden Candy Dish Award, Silver Candy Dish Award and Woman of Influence Award were conferred during the 2022 Sweets & Snacks Expo Awards Ceremony, as well as the 2022 Most Innovative New Product Awards.

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