(NAPSA)—There’s no need to sugarcoat the statistics. Ameri- cans love candy. In 2001 alone, people in the U.S. consumed more than three billion pounds of chocolate and three billion pounds of chewy, gooey confections. Much of this candy was munched in the movies. How did candy become an American movie tradition? The sweet success story of one of America’s favorite movie candies may surprise you. Then In 1910, a candy maker named Sam Born immigrated to the U.S. from Russia. His genius for the “sweet science” (he is credited with inventing chocolate sprinkles and a machine that automatically put sticks in lollipops) soon earned him recognition and eventually the key to the city of San Francisco. In 1923, Born and members of his family started Just Born, Inc. a candy company then based in New York City and now headquartered in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Since 1923, Just Born has been well known for its many brands including Hot Tamales, Marshmallow Peeps, ZOURS and its biggest movie theater star, MiKE and IKE, which was introduced in the 1940s. Many theories exist on how the brand received its name, including a company-wide contest, a vaudeville song titled “Mike and Ike” and the “IKE” Eisenhowerera. Sister products to MikKEand IKEwere also introduced during the early years, including ROOT-T-TOOT, COOL KIDS, JACK and JILL, JOLLY for Cer) How Sweet It Is—Candy has been a tradition with moviegoers for years. JOES, STRAWBANNA, LEM and MEL, and CHERRI and BUBB. Over the years, there have been changes, new flavors and characters have been added and in the 1990s the company madeall of these products part of the MiKE and IKE brand. Now In 2008, the companyis celebrating its 80th anniversary. MiKE and IKE has becomea staple of the American movie theater. Moviegoers pop millionsof the bite-sized, chewy candies every year. Two new movie- inspired flavors will further that tradition: MiKE and IKE Buttered Popcorn and CherryCola. These flavors are considered “limited-time flavors.” For the past three years, MiKE and IKE has offered limited-time flavors during the summer. Every year consumers can expect something new and exciting from MiKE and IKE and now,it’s back to the movies with Buttered Popcorn and CherryCola. For more information, visit www.justborn.com.
