Mike and Ike

About

About Mike and Ike Mike and Ike is one of the longest-running American fruit-flavoured chewy candy brands, made by Just Born, Inc. since 1940. The company is family-owned, based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and is also the manufacturer behind Hot Tamales and the Easter brand Peeps. Mike and Ike has held its position as the United States' best-selling fruit-flavoured chewy candy for over seven decades, partly because the recipe has stayed largely unchanged across that time. The origin of the name "Mike and Ike" is genuinely unknown. Just Born itself acknowledges this, treating it as part of the brand's mystery rather than trying to invent a backstory. The original product was a mixed-fruit candy in a small box, and the brand has since expanded into single-flavour packs and themed collections including Tropical Typhoon, Berry Blast, Jolly Joes and Mega Mix. What "Changemaker" actually means Changemaker is a US confectionery format term most UK shoppers won't have come across. It refers to a small, low-cost mini box designed to sit at the till of an American convenience store as an impulse buy, the kind of thing you'd grab with your loose change after paying for fuel. The 22g size is specifically engineered to hit a low price point in the US market while still delivering enough candy to feel like a meaningful snack rather than a sample. The format is part of why Mike and Ike has survived as long as it has. While most candy categories have moved towards larger sharing bags and theatre boxes, the Changemaker format keeps a foothold in pocket-sized impulse purchase territory, which is also the format that works best for British buyers who want to try a US confectionery brand without committing to a £6 sharing pack. Why kosher and gluten-free matters here Most American chewy candy brands either don't carry formal certification or use ingredients that exclude observant kosher and gluten-avoidant shoppers. Mike and Ike is different on both counts. The product carries OU koshe