Smarties (tablet candy)

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 holds 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]

  1. ^ a b 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 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 "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 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. ^ 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.