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{{short description|Fruit gum candy}}
{{Redirect|Gummi bears|other uses|Gummy Bear (disambiguation)|and|Gummi Bears (disambiguation){{!}}Gummi Bears}}
{{pp-semi|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Infobox food
| name             = Gummy bear
| image            = Oursons gélatine marché Rouffignac.jpg
| image_size       = 250px
| caption          = Gummy bears produced by [[Haribo]], the first company to manufacture gummy bears
| alternate_name   =
| country          = Germany
| region           =
| creator          = [[Hans Riegel Sr.]]
| course           =
| type             = [[Gummy candy]]
| served           =
| main_ingredient  = [[Gelatin]], [[sugar]], [[glucose syrup]], [[starch]], [[flavoring]], [[food coloring]], [[citric acid]]
| variations       =
| calories         =
| no_recipes       = false
}}

'''Gummy bears''' (German: ''Gummibär'') are small, [[Wine gum|fruit gum]] [[candy|candies]], similar to a [[jelly baby]] in some English-speaking countries. The candy is roughly {{convert|2|cm|in|1|abbr=on}} long and shaped in the form of a [[bear]]. The gummy bear is one of many [[Gummi candy|gummies]], popular [[gelatin]]-based candies sold in a variety of shapes and colors by various brands such as [[Haribo]].

==History==
The gummy bear originated in Germany, where it is popular under the name {{Audio|De-Gummibär.ogg|''Gummibär''}} (gum or gummy bear), or in the [[diminutive]] form {{Audio|De-Gummibärchen.ogg|''Gummibärchen''}} ([little] gum or gummy bear). [[Gum arabic]] was the original base ingredient used to produce the gummy bears, hence the name ''gum'' or ''gummy''. [[Hans Riegel Sr.]], a confectioner from [[Bonn]], started the [[Haribo]] company in 1920. In 1922, inspired by the [[Tame bear|trained bears]] seen at street festivities and markets in Europe through to the 19th century, he invented the Dancing Bear (''Tanzbär''), a small, affordable, fruit-flavored gum candy treat for children and adults alike, which was much larger in form than its later successor, the Gold-Bear (''Goldbär'').<ref name="HCW">{{Cite web |url=http://www.haribo.com/enTR/company/history.html |title=1922 – The DANCING BEAR is born |access-date=2 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226180416/https://www.haribo.com/enTR/company/history.html |archive-date=26 February 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Even during [[Hyperinflation in the Weimar Republic|Weimar Germany's hyperinflation]] period that wreaked havoc on the country, Haribo's fruit-gum Dancing Bear treats remained affordably priced for a mere one [[pfennig]] per pair at kiosks.<ref name="HCW" /> The success of the Dancing Bear's successor would later become Haribo's world-famous Gold-Bears candy product in 1967.<ref name="HCW" />

==Variations and flavours==
[[File:Haribo gb.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Gummy bears]]
The success of gummy bears has spawned the production of many other [[Gummi candy|gummy candies]] made to resemble animals and other objects, such as rings, worms, frogs, snakes, hamburgers, cherries, sharks, penguins, hippos, lobsters, octopuses, apples, peaches, oranges, ''[[Ampelmännchen]]'', [[The Smurfs|Smurfs]] and spiders. Manufacturers offer a range of sizes including bears that weigh several kilograms.<ref>{{cite news |title=World's largest Gummy Bear goes on sale |url=http://newslite.tv/2009/09/22/worlds-largest-gummy-bear-goes.html |work=NewsLite.tv |date=22 September 2009 |access-date=25 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111127230718/http://newslite.tv/2009/09/22/worlds-largest-gummy-bear-goes.html |archive-date=27 November 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In the United States, Haribo gummy bears are sold in five flavors: raspberry (red); orange (orange); strawberry (green); pineapple (colorless); and lemon (yellow).<ref name='haribofaq'>{{cite web | title=Haribo official FAQ | url=http://www.haribo.com/planet/us/info/faq.php | access-date=19 October 2009 | archive-date=29 October 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091029085938/http://www.haribo.com/planet/us/info/faq.php | url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Trolli|Trolli's]] bears are most often sold in five flavors in the United States, and in the same colors; however, Trolli's red bear is strawberry-flavored, while the green is lime and the colorless is grape.<ref>{{cite web|title=Trolli Classic Bears|url=http://www.ferrarausa.com/classic-bears/|publisher=Trolli|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130619065109/http://www.ferrarausa.com/classic-bears/|archive-date=19 June 2013}}</ref> Many companies emulate either Haribo or Trolli flavor-color combinations. Health-oriented brands, which often use all-natural flavors, sometimes opt for more and different flavors. For example, the boxed bulk gummies sold by [[Sunflower Market|Sunflower/Newflower Markets]] include grape, pineapple-coconut and peach, among others.

==Ingredients and production==
[[File:Kosher gummi bears.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Vending machine]] for [[Kashrut|kosher]] bears at the cafeteria of the [[Jewish Museum Berlin]]]]
The traditional gummy bear is made from a mixture of [[sugar]], [[glucose syrup]], [[starch]], [[Flavoring#Flavorants or flavorings|flavoring]], [[food coloring]], [[citric acid]] and [[gelatin]]. Higher quality gummies have gelatin as the lead ingredient. However, recipes vary, such as organic candy, those suitable for [[vegetarians]] or those following religious dietary laws.

Production uses a specialized machine called a [[starch mogul]]. The image of the gummy bear is stamped into a tray filled with powdered starch. The hot, liquid mixture is poured into the indentations in the starch and allowed to cool overnight. Once the mixture has set, the candies can be removed from the mold and packaged.<ref name="streetdirectory">{{cite web|url=http://streetdirectory.com/food_editorials/snacks/snacks/gummi_bears_have_history_too.html |title=Food Editorials |publisher=Streetdirectory.com |access-date=21 May 2013}}</ref> The molds are open on top, so only the bear's front is formed while the back remains flat. The original design for each type of candy is carved into plaster by an artist, then duplicated by a machine and used to create the starch molds for the production line.<ref name="streetdirectory" />

Gummy bears made with bovine, [[Pig|porcine]] or [[Fish|piscine]] gelatin are not suitable for vegetarians and [[vegans]]. Those with porcine gelatin or from animals not slaughtered in either of the two contradictory ritualistic fashions do not conform to [[kashrut]] or [[halal]] dietary laws. In its factory in Turkey, Haribo produces halal bears and other sweets made with bovine gelatin.<ref name="haribofaq" /> Also, some gummy bears are made with [[pectin]] or starch instead of gelatin, making them suitable for vegetarians.

Large [[sour]] gummy bears are larger and flatter than regular ones, have a softer texture and include [[fumaric acid]] or other acid ingredients to produce a sour flavor. Some manufacturers produce sour bears with a different texture based on starch instead of gelatin. Typically, starch produces a shorter (cleaner bite, less chewy) texture than does gelatin.

==Health issues==
{{Infobox nutritional value
| name = Haribo Goldbear gummy bears
| kJ = 1459
| carbs = 77 g
| fat = 0 g
| protein = 6.9 g
| sugars = 46 g
}}
Gummy bears ordinarily contain mostly [[empty calories]], but recently{{When|date=October 2015}} gummy bears containing [[vitamin C]], produced by manufacturers such as Sconza or Bear Essentials,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rainbowlight.com/product.aspx?id=CT9121a&mid=1261 |title=Product Detail: Bear Essentials – Multi Vitamin Gummi Bears |date=28 March 2006 |access-date=21 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061020182020/https://www.rainbowlight.com/product.aspx?id=CT9121a&mid=1261 |archive-date=20 October 2006 }}</ref> have been marketed to parents of young children. [[Gummy supplement]]s containing vitamins have also been produced in the form of gummy bears to motivate consumption by young, picky eaters.

Gummy bears, and other gummy candy, stick to teeth and may cause [[dental caries|tooth decay]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dentalplans.lifetips.com/tip/100894/family-dental/family-dental-plan-tips/tooth-decay-in-minors.html |title=Family Dental, Family Dental Plan, Family Dental Insurance |publisher=Dentalplans.lifetips.com |access-date=21 May 2013}}</ref> However, gummy bears containing the cavity-fighting additive [[xylitol]] (wood sugar) are now{{When|date=October 2015}} being tested.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.komotv.com/news/story.asp?ID=39096 |title=Want To Fight Cavities? Eat Gummi Bears! &#124; KOMO-TV - Seattle, Washington &#124; News Archive |publisher=Komo-Tv |access-date=21 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060915074738/http://www.komotv.com/news/story.asp?ID=39096 |archive-date=15 September 2006 }}</ref> [[Trolli]] has developed its "acti-line" of gummy candy that it claims will help the immune system and teeth.<ref>{{cite web|author=www.dooyoo.de |url=http://www.dooyoo.de/suessigkeiten-knabbereien/trolli-actident/1257511/ |title="Zahnpflege mit Fruchtgummibären - Trolli Actident" Testbericht |publisher=Dooyoo.de |date=10 January 2009 |access-date=21 May 2013}}</ref>

There has been concern that gelatin in most gummy bears may harbor [[prion]]s, particularly those that cause [[bovine spongiform encephalopathy]] (BSE) in cattle and new-variant [[Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease]] in humans.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mad-cow.org/~tom/gel_Roland.html |title=Gelatin production and Prion Theory |publisher=Mad-cow.org |access-date=21 May 2013 |archive-date=7 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107031509/http://www.mad-cow.org/~tom/gel_Roland.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>{{Unreliable medical source|date=October 2016}} Based on studies, the United States FDA and other national organizations and countries consider the risk of BSE transmission through gelatin to be minuscule{{Clarify|reason=vague|date=October 2015}} as long as precautions are followed during manufacturing.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/vol7no1/pdfs/brown.pdf |title=USDA Report |publisher=Cdc.gov |access-date=21 May 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.who.int/bloodproducts/publications/en/WHO_TSE_2003.pdf |title=World Health Organization |access-date=21 May 2013}}</ref><ref>[https://www.fda.gov/opacom/morechoices/industry/guidance/gelguide.htm FDA] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060510133728/https://www.fda.gov/opacom/morechoices/industry/guidance/gelguide.htm |date=10 May 2006 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.health.gov.au |title=Australian Government DHA |publisher=Health.gov.au |date=5 May 2013 |access-date=21 May 2013}}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20040611051941/http://www.afic.org/Short%20Briefing%20on%20BSE.htm Asian Food Information center]</ref>

==See also==
* ''[[I Am Your Gummy Bear]]''
* "[[I'm a Gummy Bear (The Gummy Bear Song)]]"
* ''[[Disney's Adventures of the Gummi Bears]]''
* [[Turkish delight]]
* [[Albanese Candy]], an American brand

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Gummi bears}}
* [https://www.haribo.com/en/products/goldbears Haribo Goldbears] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128053443/https://www.haribo.com/en/products/goldbears |date=28 January 2022 }}

{{Teddy bears}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Gummi Bear}}
[[Category:Bears in popular culture]]
[[Category:Candy]]
[[Category:German confectionery]]
[[Category:Gummi candies]]