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Smarties (tablet candy)

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This article is about the confectionery distributed in the United States. For the internationally distributed chocolate confectionery, see Smarties. For other uses, see Smarties (disambiguation).
Smarties
Product typeConfectionery
OwnerSmarties Candy Company
CountryUnited States
Introduced1949; 75 years ago (1949)
MarketsWorldwide
Websitewww.smarties.com

In the United States, Smarties are a type of tablet candy produced by Smarties Candy Company, formerly known as Ce De Candy Inc., since 1949.[1][2][3][4][5] Smarties are produced in factories in both Union Township, New Jersey, and Newmarket, Ontario.[2] The candies distributed in Canada are marketed as Rockets, to avoid confusion with Smarties,[2][6] a chocolate candy produced by Nestlé which owns the trademark in Canada.[7] The New Jersey factory produces approximately 1 billion rolls of Smarties annually,[8] and in total the company produces over 2.5 billion in a year.[6][9][10]

One individual candy is a biconcave disc in shape, with a diameter of roughly 1 cm (0.39 in) and a height of roughly 4 mm (0.16 in). Larger ones have a diameter of 2.5 cm (0.98 in) and are about 6 mm (0.24 in) thick. Smarties come in combinations of colors within their wrapped rolls; these include white and pastel shades of yellow, pink, orange, purple, and green.[11] Each color's flavor is different. They are usually packaged as a roll of 15 candies.[2][9] Smarties candies are peanut-free, gluten-free, fat-free, and dairy-free.[1][9] All Smarties candies are free of animal products and therefore vegan.[12][13]

History

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Main article: Smarties Candy Company

After World War II, the Dee family bought pellet machines and repurposed them to make candy.[1][6][14] This gave the candy its resemblance to tablet-style pills in shape and texture.[6] When sugar prices spiked in the 1970s, Ce De Candy switched from sucrose to dextrose.[6]

Edward Dee founded Ce De Candy in Bloomfield, New Jersey, in 1949. In 2011, the company was renamed Smarties Candy Company, after its most famous product.[15][16][2]

In 2004, Ce De Candy Co., Inc., in conjunction with Rock The Vote, manufactured 500,000 special edition Smarties with "Rock the Vote" on the wrapper.[17] A 3.5-ounce Theater box was released in 2009, with a retro look on the boxes.[18] In August 2011, the company confirmed that Smarties are vegan.[19]

Starting on Oct 2, 2022, Smarties launched National Smarties Day, hosting a year supply giveaway of candy and launching a TikTok challenge to celebrate Edward Dee’s birthday.[20]

Snorting controversy

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In January 2011, a middle school in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, reported that its students had started to crush the Smarties into a fine powder and inhale them, mimicking a form of drug consumption, following a YouTube trend. Health effects of this trend could be scarring of the nasal cavity, irritation, and a possible risk of allergic reaction. A similar trend also observed at the same time at the Portsmouth school was "smoking" the Smarties, taking in the dust orally and blowing it out, resembling cigarette smoke.[21]

Production

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The Smarties Candy Company operates two factories, one in Union, New Jersey, and one in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. The factories produce Smarties 24 hours a day, five days a week, amounting to over 70,000 pounds (around 32,000 kilograms) per day. After mixing the dry ingredients they are pressed into tablets and then stacked and rolled into a Smarties wrapper for packaging.[22] Smarties Candy Company produces over 2 billion Smarties rolls every year.[23]

Ingredients

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Smarties Rolls

The ingredients in Smarties candies are dextrose, citric acid, calcium stearate, natural and artificial flavors, and colors.[24] There are 25 calories and 6.9 grams of sugar in a roll of Smarties.[9][11]

Flavors

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Each package contains an assortment of pastel colors [11][25] in the following flavors:[26][27]

  • White: Orange cream
  • Yellow: Pineapple
  • Pink: Cherry
  • Green: Strawberry
  • Purple: Grape
  • Orange: Orange

Smarties Candy Company also produces "X-treme Sour" and "Tropical" varieties of Smarties[25][28][full citation needed] as well as "Lollies and Giant Lollies". In October 2015, the company launched Smarties 'n Creme, which are quarter-sized candy tablets with Smarties flavor on one side and creme flavor on the other.[1][9]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d Marissa Rothkopf Bates (October 29, 2015). "Smarties, a Halloween Favorite, Maintains a Sweet Family Business". New York Times. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  2. ^ a b c d e Greg Hatala (2014-02-11). "Made in Jersey: Smarties keep rolling out of Union factory". NJ.com. Retrieved 2014-05-23.
  3. ^ Amy Pataki (27 October 2012). "Candy through the ages". The Toronto Star.
  4. ^ Ryan White (11 October 2011). "Candy Bowl I, the second round: It's time to pick your favorite Halloween candy, again". The Oregonian.
  5. ^ Nick Montano (2011-05-20). "Smarties Ship In Special Packaging And Formulation For Bulk Vending". Vending Times. Archived from the original on 2014-05-23. Retrieved 2014-05-23.
  6. ^ a b c d e "Rockets candy a Halloween treat with a Toronto history". CBC News. 2013-10-30. Retrieved 2016-04-14.
  7. ^ "Smarties — 0177217". Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  8. ^ Christie Duffy (2015-10-30). "See how Smarties candy company carries on its sweet legacy — and takes Halloween off after 9-month prep". Pix 11. Retrieved 2016-04-14.
  9. ^ a b c d e Heather Long (2015-10-05). "Remember Smarties? The retro candy is thriving". CNN. Retrieved 2016-04-14.
  10. ^ "Inside the Rockets factory where these quintessential Halloween candies are made". The Globe and Mail. 2015-10-29. Retrieved 2016-04-14.
  11. ^ a b c Diane Nassy (2012-08-08). "Taking a Tour of the Smarties Candy Factory". philzendia. Retrieved 2014-05-23.
  12. ^ "Which candies are vegan?". PETA. 2010-07-07. Retrieved 2020-11-02.
  13. ^ Maria Mooney (2014-03-11). "Smarties Executive, Liz Dee, Talks Compassionate Candy". Ecorazzi. Archived from the original on 2014-05-24. Retrieved 2014-05-23.
  14. ^ Christof, Alexis (October 2, 2019). "Smarties — a 'recession-proof' candy — turns 70 years old with a brand-new look" – via Yahoo.com.
  15. ^ "Smarties History". CandyFavorites. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  16. ^ "Rockets candy a Halloween treat with a Toronto history". CBC. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  17. ^ "Midway Displays Introduces". Candy Industry. 2004-10-01. Retrieved 2014-05-23.
  18. ^ "Smarties Now In Theater Boxes". National Confectioners Association. 2009-12-14. Retrieved 2014-05-23.
  19. ^ Ari Solomon (2014-03-10). "Compassionate Candy". Mercy for Animals. Archived from the original on 2014-05-23. Retrieved 2014-05-23.
  20. ^ "Smarties, made in NJ". NJ 101.5. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  21. ^ Jaslow, Ryan. "Middle school warns snorting Smarties may lead to nasal maggots".
  22. ^ Scholastic (6 October 2016). "Inside a Smarties Factory". Archived from the original on 2021-12-12 – via YouTube.
  23. ^ "5 things to know about Smarties, the women-led and family-run candy company celebrating 70 years in business". CNBC. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  24. ^ "Smarties Candy Rolls 5 lb bag Assorted flavors". Spangler Flavor. Archived from the original on 2013-12-12. Retrieved 2014-05-23.
  25. ^ a b Beth Kimmerle (2003). Candy: The Sweet History. Collectors Press. p. 89. ISBN 1888054832.
  26. ^ Kristen Ryan (Fall 2014). "Get Smarties!". Matters Magazine. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved April 13, 2015.
  27. ^ "Smarties Flavors". Tasting Table. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  28. ^ Turcsik, Richard (1 February 2005). "Targeting the sweet tooth: creative use of the category's impulse nature can help speed up supermarkets' slowing candy sales. So can getting new products in front of consumers quickly". Vol. 71, no. 2. pp. 1094–1088.

Further reading

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Smarties (Ce De Candy).
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