How does one define a confection?

What makes a confection, a "confection?" This topic came up recently amongst colleagues, and it's one that's certainly been debated over the years. For many veterans in the industry, there's no debate - it's all about candy. It is simply a sweet treat. But as we all know, things change.

Today, we have buyers who deal with candies and snacks. Our largest gathering of confectionery manufacturers in the United States is called the Sweets & Snacks Expo. And Americans are snacking now more than ever; the three square meals a day- something an old timer like myself swears by- is becoming an anomaly rather than the norm.

But back to the confections debate and whether a chocolate-covered pretzel is a snack, a sweet and savory confection or a bit of both. Does it matter whether a confectionery manufacturer produces a chocolate-covered pretzel or whether it's primarily a snack company doing it?

And what...