Runts facts for kids
Runts are super fun, crunchy candies! They are made by the Ferrara Candy Company. These candies first came out in 1982. Each Runt candy looks, tastes, and is colored like a different fruit. They have a hard outer shell and a chewy inside, a bit like SweeTarts.
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Runts Flavors Through the Years
Runts candies have changed their flavors several times since they first appeared. Here's how the flavors have evolved:
Original Flavors (1982)
When Runts first launched in 1982, you could find these five flavors:
- Banana
- Cherry
- Strawberry
- Orange
- Lime
Late 1990s Flavor Update
In the late 1990s, Runts added two new exciting flavors:
- Watermelon
- Blue raspberry
At this time, the lime flavor was stopped.
Tropical Twist (2007)
In 2007, Runts got a tropical makeover! They introduced new flavors that made you think of sunny islands:
- Pineapple
- Mango
To make room for these, watermelon, blue raspberry, and cherry flavors were discontinued.
New Additions (2009)
By 2009, two more flavors joined the Runts family:
- Green apple (this candy used the same shape as the old cherry Runt)
- Grape (this candy used the same shape as the old mango Runt)
The pineapple and mango flavors were removed from the mix.
Different Kinds of Runts
Over the years, Runts has also offered some special versions of their candy.
Chewy Runts
There used to be a soft, chewy version of Runts called Chewy Runts. They had the same fruit flavors as the original crunchy ones. Chewy Runts were discontinued in 2014.
Runts Freckled Eggs
Every year around Easter, a special product called Runts Freckled Eggs was released. These candies were shaped like eggs instead of fruits. You could buy them in big bags or smaller boxes with a handle.
Tropical Runts
In the 1990s, a special mix called Tropical Runts was available. This is where the pineapple and mango Runts flavors first appeared before they were added to the main mix.
Rock'n Runts
Another unique version from the 1990s was Rock'n Runts. This mix included flavors like watermelon, grape, pineapple, lemon, and raspberry.
How Runts Have Changed Inside
When Runts first came out, their centers were colorful and matched the outside of the candy. For example, a red cherry Runt would have a red center. However, today's Runts have a white center inside.
What's in Runts?
Runts candies are made with ingredients like dextrose (a type of sugar), maltodextrin, and a little bit of corn syrup. They also contain malic acid for tartness, carnauba wax to make them shiny, and artificial flavors. Different colors are added using ingredients like red 40 lake, yellow 5, yellow 5 lake, and yellow 6.
Runts are often sold in a theater box that holds 5 ounces of candy.
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