Key facts
- Sunkist Fruit Gems will be brought back to market after being discontinued.
- The candy is a kosher staple used in Jewish celebrations like bar and bat mitzvahs.
- Ferrara Candy Company, which acquired the manufacturer, had stopped selling the product on May 1.
- Sunkist announced the revival on Saturday, September 27, 2026, following public outcry.
- Candyrific will produce the new Sunkist Fruit Gems.
- The revived candy will maintain its kosher certification.
Sunkist Fruit Gems, a kosher jelly candy that has been a staple at Jewish celebrations for decades, will be brought back to market following a public outcry after their discontinuation. Sunkist announced on Saturday, September 27, 2026, that it has partnered with Candyrific, a family-owned candy maker based in Louisville, Kentucky, to produce the individually wrapped sweets.
Ferrara Candy Company, which acquired the firm that manufactured the Fruit Gems, had stopped selling the product on May 1, citing weak nationwide demand. The news of the discontinuation, first reported by eJewishPhilanthropy, quickly spread, leading to a significant backlash on social media and in other news outlets. Consumers rushed to buy remaining stock, with the candies selling out on Amazon and Walmart.
Sunkist stated on Instagram that the revived Fruit Gems would retain their familiar flavor, quality, fruit-forward character, and kosher certification. The company aims to have the candies back on shelves "very soon."
