Bittersweet lessons learned from the candy expo

The first thing that occurs to you upon entering the annual Sweets & Snacks Expo at McCormick Place, the annual international gathering of manufacturers of stuff that makes you look fat in those jeans, organized each year by the National Confectioners Association and featuring almost 600 exhibitors, is that this is heaven, a childhood daydream. Until 15 minutes and 17 organic chocolate peanut clusters later, when it's looking more like hell, a weight-conscious adult's trial by gummy bears.

By Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune reporter

May 17, 2012