THIS SECTION IS FOR NEWS AND INTERESTING STORIES RELATED TO FOOD, NUTRITION AND FOOD PROCESSING. THEY ARE NOT NECESSARILY RELATED TO KOSHER BUT MAY BE OF INTEREST TO THE KOSHER CONSUMER, MANUFACTURER OR MASHGIACH.
September 24, 2026 from Crownheights.info:
"Just days after Sunkist Fruit Gems were declared discontinued, fans of the iconic candy have received some very sweet news: Fruit Gems are coming back.
"Sunkist announced Saturday that it has found a new family-owned candy manufacturer and is working to bring the beloved treats back to store shelves. The company said the revived product will retain the familiar flavor and quality, as well as its kosher certification.
"The announcement comes just days after reports on the discontinuation of the candy, which for generations has been a staple at Jewish celebrations, including weddings, bar mitzvahs and aufrufs.
"The Fruit Gems, known for their colorful fruit flavors and individually wrapped pieces, have become particularly associated with the Jewish community because they are kosher, easy to distribute and soft enough to be tossed without posing the same concerns as harder candies.
"Following news of the discontinuation, consumers and Jewish communities across the country rushed to find remaining supplies, with reports indicating that the candy quickly sold out at major online retailers. The sudden demand helped fuel renewed attention surrounding the product.
"Sunkist’s latest announcement now promises a different ending.
"The company said it is “aiming to have them back on shelves very soon,” though no specific return date has yet been announced.
"For the many children who grew up scrambling under shul benches to collect Fruit Gems after a simcha, it appears that the familiar candy won’t be disappearing after all."
September 27, 2026 from eJP:
"The kosher confection appears to be the latest victim of private-equity firms acquiring classic candy brands and then shaping them for the mass market.
"After more than a half-century of sweetening Jewish events, the kosher staple Sunkist Fruit Gems has been discontinued as of May, eJewishPhilanthropy has learned.
"The neon-colored candy is ubiquitous with Jewish celebrations; nearly every bar and bat mitzvah and aufruf in America features the celebrants getting showered in the candy. The omnipresent gems line tables at nonprofit galas, propel candy drives and fill Purim-fundraiser mishloach manot.
"The discontinuation is part of a trend in the candy world, Prince said, where private-equity firms acquire classic brands and market them for the masses — in the process often rendering them non-kosher. This same trend has caused other historically kosher candies to lose their hechsher."
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