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Right now we’re missing the 2005 All Candy Expo in Chicago…

The National Confectioners Association’s annual show features 500 of the world’s top confectionery manufacturers and attracts 20,000 attendees. At EXPO, thousands of new candy products are previewed before they hit retailers.

Fortunately the organizers just posted a New Product Showcase.

The big trend two days into the sweets expo appears to be spiking regular candies with vitamins and minerals. Some of the more widely circulated new product announcements include:

Jelly Belly Sport Beans — Lemon Lime and Orange flavours, are larger, traditional-sized jelly beans. Each one-ounce serving contains 25 grams of carbohydrates, 20% of the daily value for Vitamins C and E, and 120mg of electrolytes to boost energy and prevent dehydration.

Hubba Bubba Triple Treat Bubble Tape — multi-colored flavor crystals deliver the three great tastes of strawberry, watermelon and blueberry in every bite.

Junior Mints Inside Out — a limited edition of the classic movie theater snack

Blow Pop Mouth Factory and Cherry Ice Blow Pops — The first is a combination of candy crystals and bubble gum as seperate ingredients. Cherry Ice has a semi translucent candy shell that carries a tart cherry flavor.

Nestle is showing new Wonka candies and PowerBars. Wonka Donutz are chocolate candies with double fudge centers shaped as a donuts; Wonka Bars are milk chocolate, with graham cracker pieces. PowerBar will come in four new Triple Threat flavors.

Photo notes: (top) Glow Pop: A light up lightening bug lollipop in reusable bug jar; Gummy Paint Shop: 100% candy; 2 gummy brushes and powder paint can; Buggin’ Bubbaloha: Hawaiian Shirt Pouch & Bubblegum; Champion Chew: NASCAR licensed gum and candy in tire shape. (bottom) Candy Confections’ Jellooze: mallow candies with jelly center; Surpies: wafer cup filled with candy foam; Fizz Wizz: sour popping candy.

For other unusual candies available right now, and (more or less) in our area, check out la.foodblogging contributor Cybele’s candyblog.