Necco introduces new phrases on Valentine heart candy

NEW YORK New England Confectionary Co. on Wednesday anounced that its Sweethearts Conversation Hearts will include new weather- and nature-themed phrases.

The sayings "highlight the exitement and upredictability of the day-to-day change of weather and people's love lives," said Lory Zimbalatti, Necco marketing manager, in a statement.

Included are such phrases as, "Melt My Heart," "Heat Wave," "Get My Drift" and "Nature Lover."

The Revere, Mass.-based company has been manufacturing Sweethearts Conversation hearts since 1866, and in the 1990s began introducing different themes.

Necco is being sold to a group of investors led by American Capital Strategies under a deal announced Dec. 28. Terms of the sale were not disclosed.