LITAFOOD wins 2026 Superior Taste Award for freeze-dried ice cream

LITAFOOD, a Nantong, China-based candy maker, won the 2026 Superior Taste Award in Brussels for a strawberry-flavored freeze-dried ice cream. The recognition from the International Taste Institute gives the company third-party validation as it pushes premium freeze-dried confectionery in global markets.

Why it matters: - The award gives LITAFOOD independent validation from the International Taste Institute, a tastemaker in food and beverage quality. - The recognition can help the Nantong, China company strengthen its position with global retailers and premium food buyers. - The win supports LITAFOOD’s push to be seen as a technology-driven candy factory, not just a mass producer.

What happened: - LITAFOOD won the 2026 Superior Taste Award for a strawberry-flavored freeze-dried ice cream. - The award came from a blind tasting in Brussels by chefs and sommeliers at the International Taste Institute. - The company was identified as Nantong Litai Jianlong Food Co., Ltd. - LITAFOOD also directed readers to more information.

The details: - The Superior Taste Award is based on blind tastings, with jurors judging products on First Impression, Vision, Olfaction, Taste and Texture. - The International Taste Institute uses a panel of more than 200 gastronomy experts, including Michelin-starred chefs and sommeliers. - LITAFOOD said it has more than 20 years of freeze-drying expertise. - LITAFOOD said it was the first company in China to produce freeze-dried candy. - The company uses vacuum freeze-drying technology to remove moisture at very low temperatures while preserving flavor and texture. - LITAFOOD’s product lineup includes freeze-dried confectionery such as FD Ice Cream, FD Gummies and FD Marshmallows. - The portfolio also includes jelly and pudding products, functional candy such as collagen jelly and vitamin gummies, and novelty and toy candy. - The company says it offers OEM/ODM customization services across its product categories. - LITAFOOD says it has long-term business relationships with Walmart and Costco.

Between the lines: - The award matters because taste-focused third-party recognition can carry more weight than branding claims in premium food categories. - LITAFOOD is positioning freeze-drying as a technical advantage that creates a distinct texture and flavor profile versus conventional candy processing. - The company is also linking product innovation with health-oriented and novelty formats to widen its appeal beyond one category. - The certification language suggests LITAFOOD wants to compete on perceived quality and trust, not just price.

What's next: - LITAFOOD is likely to use the award as a sales tool in international expansion and retailer conversations. - The company appears set to keep leaning on freeze-dried confectionery, functional candy and customized OEM/ODM offerings. - The Superior Taste Award may help LITAFOOD reinforce its premium positioning in markets where consumers are paying more attention to clean-label and higher-value snacks.

The bottom line: - For LITAFOOD, the award is both a product honor and a market signal: the company wants to be judged by taste, technology and scale.