Ferrara Discontinues 100-Year-Old Sunkist Fruit Gems as It Relaunches Jelly Belly
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Sep 25
Ferrara Discontinues 100-Year-Old Sunkist Fruit Gems as It Relaunches Jelly Belly
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Sep 25
Summary
Ferrara is ending Sunkist Fruit Gems, a century-old jelly candy long associated with bar and bat mitzvah celebrations.
The Chicago-based candy maker said trimming products, including the licensed Sunkist line, will help it relaunch Jelly Belly and focus on consumer demand and innovation.
Economy Candy in New York said most of the Fruit Gems it sells are bought to be thrown at 12- and 13-year-olds after the ceremony, underscoring the candy's ritual role.
The discontinuation, first reported by eJewishPhilanthropy, has drawn dismay from retailers and consumers who saw the wrapped candies as a multigenerational tradition.