Americans can’t get enough snacks, whether they’re choosing them as mid-afternoon treats or using them to replace meals entirely. According to Nielsen, sales of salty, dairy, fresh-cut produce, bar, cookie and other snacks reach $33 billion in the United States yearly, thanks to the fact that 98 percent of U.S. households purchase these items. And while Nielsen reported all snack categories experienced a sales increase between 2013 and 2016, the salty snacks segment posted especially strong growth at 6 percent.

From potato chips and pretzels to popcorn and much more, salty options are a go-to for American snackers. However, they’re increasingly looking for snacks with a healthy halo, and even reduced sodium, if they still taste great. Cutting-edge product launches are incorporating added-value ingredients like protein and fiber, as well as natural flavors, enhanced nutrition profiles and much more.

Has your company launched a new snack product that is innovative and tasty enough to win over SupplySide editors? If so, I invite you to enter the 7th Annual SupplySide CPG Editor's Choice Awards that recognize innovative finished products launched to the U.S. consumer market between July 2017 and August 2018 in 30 categories across the supplement and food and beverage markets. There are two snacks categories--Snacks, Salty and Snacks, Sweet!

Products must be submitted by the CPG brands or their representatives, not by ingredient or component suppliers. The submission deadline is Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018.

Winners are selected by the editors based on market innovation, consumer need, scientific substantiation, integrity and the “cool” factor. Finalists will be showcased through the SupplySide Health & Nutrition Network brands, and winners announced at SupplySide West in Las Vegas, Nov. 6-10, 2018.

For more than 20 years, SupplySide has helped those in the food, beverage, dietary supplement, animal nutrition, personal care and cosmetic industries break through the hype and ambiguity to find the information they need to explore, discover, innovate and market their next best-selling product.