Cheekies facts for kids
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| Alternative names | Chicos |
|---|---|
| Type | Gummy candy |
| Main ingredients | Glucose syrup, cane sugar, thickener, invert syrup, full cream milk powder, cocoa |
| 69.3 kcal (290 kJ) | |
Cheekies (once called Chicos) are a yummy chocolate-flavored jelly lolly. In some places, people call these kinds of sweets candy or confectionery.
Contents
What are Cheekies?
Cheekies are a lot like Jelly Babies, which are often fruit-flavored. But Cheekies are special because they are all dark brown and taste like chocolate! They used to have a picture of a baby on their packet, which was also dark brown.
Where do Cheekies Come From?
Cheekies are made right here in Australia. They do not have any fake colors added to them. The company that makes them is called Nestlé, and they sell Cheekies under their Australian brand, Allen's Lollies.
For a long time, Cheekies had an ingredient called gelatin. But in 2015, this ingredient was removed. This change made Cheekies suitable for people who are vegetarians. Some people really love Cheekies, while others are not so keen on them!
Why the Name Change?
The word "chico" comes from the Spanish language and means "boy." However, this word can also be used in a way that is disrespectful to people from Latin American backgrounds. Most people in Australia did not know this.
A New Name for a New Time
In June 2020, Nestlé decided to change the name of Chicos. They also changed the name of another lolly called "Red Skins." This decision was made to show that the company believes in being fair and respectful to everyone. Nestlé said they wanted to make sure that nothing they do makes their friends, neighbors, or colleagues feel left out or disrespected.
The company explained that the old names did not fit with Nestlé's values, which are all about respect. This announcement happened during a time when many other products were also changing their names to be more inclusive. On November 16, 2020, Nestlé announced that the new name for Chicos would be Cheekies. You could start finding packets with the new name in stores in early 2021.
