About Rowntrees
Rowntree's is a historic British confectionery brand founded in 1862 in York by Quaker Henry Isaac Rowntree, with roots tracing back to 1725 when Mary Tuke opened a grocery store specialising in chocolate drinks. The company grew from a small factory with 12 men in 1869 to become the fourth-largest confectionery manufacturer in the world by 1988, when Nestlé acquired the company. Fruit Pastilles launched in 1881 when Joseph Rowntree hired a French confectioner—originally sold as throat sweets, they became an instant hit. Fruit Gums followed in 1893 with five fruity flavours: strawberry, orange, lemon, blackcurrant, and lime. Jelly Tots were invented by accident in 1965 by Dr Brian Boffey at Rowntree's, who was trying to create instant powdered jelly and instead created the beloved tiny jelly droplets. There are exactly 111 different shapes in Rowntree's Randoms. Rowntree's also created KitKat (1935), Aero (1935), Smarties (1937), After Eight (1962), Yorkie and Lion Bar (1976)—these are now marketed under Nestlé. Products still branded Rowntree's include Fruit Pastilles, Fruit Gums, Jelly Tots, Randoms, Squidgers, Pick & Mix, Safari Mix, Berry Hearts, and Gummy Bears. York remains Nestlé Confectionery's head office and global research centre. Rowntree's was the first UK company to remove artificial colours, flavours and preservatives from all products. Most ranges are now vegan-friendly (Fruit Pastilles, Fruit Gums, Jelly Tots, Pick & Mix, Gummy Bears)—though Randoms and Squidgers contain pork gelatine and are not vegan. Compare Rowntree's sweet prices at Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda and Morrisons with Grocefully.