New Candy Creations

The annual trade show put on by National Confectioners Association is the place where candy makers from around the world show off all their new stuff for the year. CBS Consumer Correspondent Herb Weisbaum volunteered to spend a couple of days sampling all the goodies.

Here are some of the highlights:

SOUND BITES POP RADIO ($10 to $13)
This next-generation Sound Bites from Tiger Electronics is a lollipop with an FM radio built into the base. Put the pop in your mouth and bite down on the sucker. The sound will travel through your teeth and to your inner ear. You'll hear it but they won't! Available: September

PEANUT BUTTER & JELLY CUPS
This new chocolate candy bar from Russell Stover is made with Welch's grape or red raspberry jelly. Available: now

Y2K BUG($5)
This milk chocolate candy bar shaped like a ladybug is from Silicon Valley Confection. It has raised Y2K letters on its back. The clever slogan for this candy is: eat it while there's time! Available: now

WILLY WONKA CHOCOLATE BAR
There's been other Willy Wonka candy, but believe it or not, never a chocolate candy bar. Now there is. Available: Christmas 1999

CANDY STAMPERS
Kids love to stamp. And these stampers are ALL candy. Just lick 'em and stamp 'em and when you're done, eat them!

LOLLIPOP PAINT SHOP ($.99)
Kids dip a candy paintbrush into a plastic paint can filled with one of four sour flavors. Then they can paint their mouths in red (cherry), purple (grape), green (apple), or blue (raspberry).

XTRA SOUR GALAXY GOO
This very sour liquid candy comes in little single-serving packages. Flavors include: Wata Melon, Very Cherry, Blue Raz Bewwy and Sour Orange. Available: August

DOUBLE BUBBLE GUMBALLS
To celebrate its 70th birthday, this familiar chewing gum will now be available as gumballs.

BAZOOKA POPS($.30)
These are lollipops with a hunk of Bazooka bubble gum in the center. Available: now

STAR WARS STUFF

• Jar Jar Binks Monster Month ($4)
  Push in his plunger base and Jar Jar's mouth opens wide to reveal his trademark tongue, which is actually a cherry-flavored lollipop. Available: now
  
• Jar Jar Binks PEZ Hander ($14) This motorized candy dispenser features Jar Jar sneaking around the corner trying to seal a PEZ. Available: September
  
• R2D2 Creature Hander ($10)
  Everyone's favorite droid now dispenses M&M's MINIS. Just depress the lever on his back. Available: July
  
• Naboo Starfighter Desktop Dispenser ($13)
  Open the cockpit, fill it and fly. Depress the R2D2 in the Starfighter and get candy under the front wing. Available: December

HERSHEY'S KISSES JUGGLER ($10)
This candy dispenser is shaped like a Hershey's kiss with arms. Push the start buton and watch as he juggles Hershey's chocolate kisses. Available: August

M & M's MILLENNIUM 2000 POWER ($30)
This giant M & M 's character is electronic. Pull down on one of his arms and he lights up and give you some candy. Available: September

Please note that the prices are approximate retail prices and availability is based on the manufacturer's best information at this time.

And, for more information on candy in general, check out the National Confectioners Association Web site at www.candyusa.org.

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