Everyone’s Favorite Childhood Gum Is Canceled Forever
After 64 years (and about 10 seconds of flavor), Ferrara Candy has discontinued production of . Citing consumer preferences and purchasing patterns as the reason for decision, a spokesperson for Ferrara Candy announced that customers may still see some packages of the now-retired gum at select retailers as its supply dwindles into nothingness.
So if you find Yipes the zebra anywhere in the wild (or in your local grocery store’s snack aisle), you might want to grab a pack and seal it in epoxy resin to preserve it for future generations and alien civilizations to study and admire.
Fruit Stripe Gum
Anybody who grew up in the 80s and 90s fondly remembers Fruit Stripe Gum for its bright colors, rub-on tattoo wrappers, and amazing yet short-lived flavors.
And even though the wrappers were 100 percent edible, there was nothing quite like watching your parents freak out and call poison control because they thought they were toxic.
Ironically enough, the run-on tattoo ink was non-toxic, and surprisingly difficult to scrub off your hand.
Five Flavors For Fruit Stripe Gum
During its heyday, Fruit Stripe Gum was sold in two five-flavor variety packs. The chewing gum packs boasted flavors like wet ‘n wild melon, cherry, lemon, orange, and peach smash. Fans of the bubble gum flavor packs found themselves enjoying flavors like cherry, grape, mixed fruit, lemon, and cotton candy.
And for a brief moment in the 1970s, Fruit Stripe Gum also had a chocolate flavored gum, aptly named Chocolate Stripe.
Sunsetting The Gum
But what’s most heartbreaking about Ferrara Candy’s announcement is the terminology they used to announce Fruit Stripe Gum’s discontinuation, which they referred to as “sunsetting” the product.
It’s sad enough that future generations will never get to experience the joy that came with quickly chomping through a pack of Fruit Stripe Gum. But the mental image of Yipes the zebra solemnly walking toward the sunset with a bindle full of broken dreams is enough to rip our hearts in half.
Fruit Stripe Gummy Next?
Though Fruit Stripe gum has been discontinued for good, there has yet to be an official word on the status of Fruit Stripe Gummy candies.
But if the entire brand is being sunsetted, then it’s reasonable to assume that the fruit snacks will be similarly phased out.
Other Options Still
Fortunately, Ferrara Candy’s brand portfolio doesn’t just start and stop with Fruit Stripe Gum.
That is to say, there are still plenty of sweet treats that we can indulge in as we process the loss that none of us were fully prepared for.
So next time you’re choking back tears in the candy aisle, consider grabbing a pack of Runts, Everlasting Gobstoppers, SweeTarts, Laffy Taffy, or Nerds if you need something to take the edge off.
An Amazing Run
Hopefully, Yipes the Zebra is gearing up to enjoy a well-deserved retirement from Fruit Stripe Gum and is quickly becoming friends with other defunct cartoon mascots like Honeycomb’s Craver, Cookie Crisp’s Chip the Dog, and the Noid from Domino’s.
At the end of the day, Fruit Stripe Gum had an amazing run. Though we’re saddened to see one of the last remaining relics of our childhood be put out to pasture, we’re glad we had the time that we did with the fruity, chewy snack.
Source: Food & Wine
