New caramel variety ‘biggest launch in M&M’s brand history’

MCLEAN, Va. — The biggest launch in M&M’s brand history, M&M’s Caramel Chocolate Candies features a creamy, caramel center covered in milk chocolate, enclosed in a candy shell. Caramel is the fastest-growing flavor segment in food, growing 15% in 2015, according to Mars. Hank Izzo, VP of research and development of parent company Mars Chocolate, said the brand regularly plays around with size, shape, color and texture. But, caramel has been especially of interest to the company in recent years. “Caramel is extremely trendy,” he said. “It’s a $2.2 billion flavor segment and the fastest-growing segment in food right now. We want to be part of this category.” M&M’s Caramel Chocolate Candies will launch in April 2017, retailing for $1.09 to $1.39 for 1.41-oz. singles, $1.69 to $1.99 for 2.83-oz. sharing size and $2.99 to $3.99 for 9.9-oz. sharing size.