Luden's facts for kids
Luden's is a popular American brand of cough drop. These drops help soothe your throat when you have a cough or irritation. Today, a company called Prestige Consumer Healthcare makes and sells Luden's cough drops in the United States. Their main office is in Tarrytown, New York. Luden's offers many different flavors, like Blue Raspberry, Honey Lemon, Wild Cherry, and more!
Contents
The Story of Luden's
Luden's was started by a man named William H. Luden way back in 1879. At first, he made both cough drops and other candies. To get people to know about his cough drops, Mr. Luden gave free samples to railroad workers. This was a clever way to spread the word across the country. It was an early example of "guerrilla marketing" – using unusual ways to promote a product.
Changes in Ownership
Over the years, Luden's changed owners several times. In 1928, a company called Food Industries of Philadelphia bought Luden's. During this time, Luden's made over 500 kinds of candy! They also employed more than 1,200 people.
A fun fact: In 1967, a filmmaker named Ed Seeman worked with the famous musician Frank Zappa to create a TV commercial for Luden's. The advertisement even won an award!
In 1986, the Dietrich family, who owned Luden's, sold the company to Hershey Foods Corp. Later, in 2001, Hershey's sold the Luden's Throat Drops brand to Pharmacia. Then, in 2003, Pfizer bought Pharmacia. In 2006, Pfizer sold its consumer products division, including Luden's, to Johnson & Johnson.
Around 2008, packages of Luden's throat drops had a special slogan: "Trusted Luden's Care – Everyone needs a little TLC." This slogan played on the letters T, L, and C from "Trusted Luden's Care."
More recently, in 2009, Charlesbank Capital Partners/Blacksmith Brands bought Luden's. Then, in late 2010, Prestige Brands acquired Blacksmith Brands, which included Luden's.
What's Inside Luden's Cough Drops?
Luden's throat drops are known as demulcents. This means they help relieve irritation in your throat. Some Luden's drops, like the Menthol and Honey flavors, also have a mild oral anesthetic. This helps to numb your throat a little, making it feel better.
Key Ingredients Explained
The main active ingredient in the fruit-flavored Luden's drops is pectin. Pectin is a natural substance found in ripe fruits. When you suck on the drop, the pectin creates a thin coating on your throat. This coating helps to reduce irritation and swelling.
The Original Menthol and various Honey flavors contain menthol. Menthol is an ingredient that acts as an oral anesthetic, helping to soothe your throat and relieve irritation.
Other Ingredients
Luden's drops also contain other ingredients that give them their color, flavor, and texture. These are called inactive ingredients. They include things like FD&C blue No. 1, FD&C blue 2, FD&C red 40, ascorbic acid (which is Vitamin C), citric acid, corn syrup, and sugar.
