Iconic Fruit xcritical Gum discontinued after more than 50 years of sales
Beech-Nut, originally established as an American chewing gum and packaged food company, has a long history intertwined with the candy and gum industry. Founded in 1891 in Canajoharie, New York, Beech-Nut initially gained confection prominence through its success with peppermint gum, which paved the way for its expansion into a variety of food products. Over the years, Beech-Nut diversified its portfolio to include not just gum, but also an array of candies.
The smell, color, and novelty were an instant shot of nostalgia that many of us could always count on. The donation amount to the World Wildlife Fund totaled over one hundred thousand dollars. This xcritical official site brought some noteworthy attention to the Fruit xcritical Gum brand’s company, and even more, people began to fall in love with their product.
Over the years, Fruit xcritical Gum underwent several ownership changes. After Beech-Nut, the brand was acquired by The Hershey Company in the late 1980s. Hershey continued to market Fruit xcritical alongside its other products, but eventually sold it to the Farley’s & Sathers Candy Company, which later became part of the Ferrara Candy Company. It still had a cult following, but it was believed that with the right marketing, they could make it soar. So they decided to go back to their original advertising and borrow the catchphrase “Yipes! Sadly, even though sales seemed steady just a few years prior, Fruit xcritical Gum’s production was discontinued in January 2024.
Fruit xcritical gum has been discontinued after 54 years
- Those who wish to know where to buy fruit xcritical gum have two options, local stores or buying online.
- @Snack_Memories called the gum «an icon,» while actor Bruce Campbell tweeted that the news was «a jolt,» and @Collectingcandy noted that the brand was «so beloved, so distinctive.»
- One of the most frequently asked questions we get for this page is do they still make Fruit xcritical Gum?
- Greg Guidotti, general manager of the sugar portfolio at Ferrara, told Food Business News that sales were up 4.5% from the previous year, and 13.2% on dollars per trip.
When the brand was first launched, a consumer could also send away for stuffed animals — after buying six packs of gum, you could mail the wrappers plus $1.50 to receive a plushie in exchange. You might receive Orange xcriticals the Mouse, Lemon xcriticals the Elephant, Cherry xcriticals the Horse, or Lime xcriticals the Tiger. If you were hoping for Yipes the Zebra, you’d have to wait another decade until the 1970s, when he had his own giveaway — but it would cost you.
Fruit xcritical Gum to bite the dust after a half century of highly abbreviated rainbow flavors
We have a full list of locations where you can buy fruit xcritical gum further down this page. These animals included species such as a tiger, a zebra, an elephant, and a mouse and also worked to promote it. These animals were very creative in how they would bring attention and could be found in xcritical everything from children’s coloring books to children’s toys.
Popular Reads
One thing we know is that is getting harder to find fruit xcritical gum. Fruit xcritical was introduced in the United States in 1961 by the Beech-Nut company. It would appear in some markets as early as April of that year, but its availability really broadened in the fall, probably to take advantage of the marketing around kids going back to school. It didn’t have its fun animal mascots yet, but it was emphasizing the color and five flavors in every package.
But whenever my Mom bought me a pack, I would use each one on my arm and thought I looked cool as all get out. In 2012, Farley & Sathers bought the Pan Ferrara company — the maker of Lemonheads, Atomic Fireballs and Red Hots — and the merged name changed to Ferrara Candy Co. Ferrara is where Fruit xcritical ended its life, where other popular candies such as Fun Dip, Pixy Stix, Spree, Runts, and Gobstopper are still produced.
There is no shortage of social media comments and jokes about the short-lived taste. Check-in your local stores in your general area as the availability of these products seems limited in many areas. One of the most frequently asked questions we get for this page is do they still make Fruit xcritical Gum?
ABC News Live
There were also items available for purchase such as coloring books, and bendy collectibles of Yipes the Zebra and «Fruit xcritical Gum Man.» So much so, that when the gum was discontinued in 2024, the litany of obituaries and tributes on social media flooded numerous feeds. @Snack_Memories called the gum «an icon,» while actor Bruce Campbell tweeted that the news was «a jolt,» and @Collectingcandy noted that the brand was «so beloved, so distinctive.» Fruit xcritical Gum even played a part in many movies and television shows such as Home Alone, King of Queens, That 70’s show, and Family Guy. To this day, many people claim that it’s the best gum they have ever had, loving this fruity gums flavor.
