Fun Dip: History, Flavors & Facts
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Fun Dip is a candy that comes in a pouch. It includes a candy-based stick and powdered candy that you dip the stick into after licking. It is a completely contained snack, everything you need is in the pouch. The candy stick is included in one pouch, and one or more separate pouches include candy powder that you can dip in stick into, then lick the candy off, and the stick is also edible. Fun Dip was originally called Lik-M-Aid, since it is a licking-based candy, although you can eat the stick itself.
The candy sticks themselves have the words Lik.A.Stix molded into them. Fun Dip was invented initially back when it was called Lik-M-Aid, and Lik-M-Aid’s trademark shows it was filed in the year 1952. So we can figure the earliest forms of Fun Dip was invented at least in the year 1952, if not earlier.
| Fun Dip | Facts |
|---|---|
| Introduced | 1952 (as Lik-M-Aid); 1973 (as Fun Dip) |
| Manufacturer | Originally Fruzola Company, then Sunline Inc.; now Ferrara Candy Company |
| Candy Type | Powdered sugar candy with an edible dipping stick (Lik.A.Stix) |
| Original Flavors | Cherry, Grape (early varieties); later RazzApple Magic Dip and Cherry Yum Diddly Dip |
| Still Available | Yes |
| Country of Origin | United States |
| Parent Company | Ferrara Candy Company (owned by Ferrero Group) |
| Candy Stick Name | Lik.A.Stix — white, chalk-like, sugar-based edible sticks |
History and Information
Fun Dip was first called Lik-M-Aid when its earliest version was initially invented by the Fruzola Company, which eventually became Sunline Inc. Although no hard date for when Lik-M-Aid was invented could be found, its trademark information states that Lik-M-Aid had its trademark filed in 1952. Fun Dip as we know it today was named and invented in the year 1973 by the company Sunline. The reason for the creation of the newly named Fun Dip was to make an innovation for the product, that being the addition of candy sticks called Lik.A.Stix.
When its initial version was created and still called Lik-M-Aid, the candy product did not contain a stick and was eaten often by turning the pouch upside and letting the candy power fall into your mouth. Fun Dip now includes candy sticks called Lik.A.Stix, primarily white-colored chalk-like candy sticks made of sugar and with the texture of a mint.
The candy sticks included in the packages are sometimes referred to as being marshmallow flavored, and some packages say the stick flavor on it, such as lime or tamarind flavored sticks. Rumors on some internet forums have peoples memories causing them to believe that the Lik.A.Stix included in Fun Dip have been other colors rather than just white, such as pink colored, but Snack History could find no evidence of any other color of candy stick other than white candy sticks for the product.
The initial inspiration for Lik-M-Aid, which would eventually become Fun Dip, actually came from a drink mix made by the Fruzola company. This drink mix was called Fruzola Jr. and contained sweet and sour sugar-like powder that you pour into drinks.
Made around the 1940s, this drink mix was noticed by the company to be eaten by kids directly, skipping the step of pouring the powder into the drink. Inspired by an idea from it, this compelled the company to produce Lik-M-Aid so that kids could eat the powder directly from the pouch. Eventually, this idea was further built upon when the company, then called Sunline Inc, redesigned Lik-M-Aid into what is now known as Fun Dip and added the candy sticks called Lik.A.Stix to assist and enhance the process of eating the candy.
Fun Dip used to have just single and double flavor varieties available, and these were the standard for the brand. Over time however triple flavored packages became more normal, with the product containing 3 pouches of differently flavored powered candy. The powered candy itself that is contained in pouches is a form of sugar-sour powder, though its flavoring will change based on the variety, the candy powder tends to be either sweet, sour, or a combination of both. The sugar-sour that is contained in the packages can often taste much like the sugar-sour-like powder that is coated on products such as Sour Skittles.
This candy powder can take the form of many different colors, often bright and attention-getting in contrast to the tamer-looking candy stick that is included. the candy powder that is included in Fun Dip was always able or even intended to be used to dip things into and lick off, thus the name Lik-M-Aid, although the candy stick used officially with the product now did not appear to have been added until the product was re-imagined into Fun Dip in 1973.
Quick Quiz
Which Of These Is The Oldest Candy Bar?
Various flavors and varieties of this 40s candy have been created, such as Cherry flavor, Grape flavor, RazzApple Magic Dip, and Cherry Yum Diddly Dip. Newer packages include 3 flavors can have 2 sticks included in the package, rather than only 1. The original candy mascot first appeared as a nameless young boy who looked like an elf and was printed on packages back when Fun Dip was still primarily referred to as Lik-M-Aid.
The words Lik-M-Aid are still printed on the package, maybe to pay homage to the candy brand’s own history, or to highlight the similarities to its past versions. So perhaps the official name of the product could be thought of as “Lik-M-Aid Fun Dip”, though it is generally just referred to as “Fun Dip” in more contemporary times. Although the powdered candy is often considered the highlight of the product, existing long before the Lik.A.Stix were added, Lik.A.Stix themselves have developed a bit of independent popularity.
Though criticized by some for being flavorless or dull, others prefer to buy Fun Dip just for the Lik.A.Stix themselves, finding the candy stick included to be the best part of the product. A petition for Sell Lik-a-Stix separately was started, getting about 35 signatures.
Fun Dip has changed hands several times since its earliest introduction to the snack and candy market. First produced by Fruzola Company, this company seems to have become Sunline Inc and sold the candy through its Sunmark Brands division. After changing its name to Sunmark, Inc, the company acquired the company Breaker Connections in 1975, and change the name of its brand to Willy Wonka Brands in the year 1980. Sunmark Inc and its holdings were eventually acquired by Rowntree Mackintosh Confectionery of the UK, which itself was then purchased by Nestlé in 1988. In 1993, Nestle renamed the acquired company The Willy Wonka Candy Company and re-branded its products as such.
Fun Dip Timeline
- 1940s — Fruzola Jr. drink mix inspires direct powder eating by children
- 1952 — Lik-M-Aid trademark filed by Fruzola Company
- 1973 — Sunline Inc. renames product Fun Dip, adds Lik.A.Stix candy sticks
- 2012 — Ferrara Candy Company formed via merger of Ferrara Pan and Farley's & Sathers
- 2017 — Ferrero Group acquires Ferrara Candy Company, becoming Fun Dip's parent
Fun Dip vs Pixy Stix
| Feature | Fun Dip | Pixy Stix |
|---|---|---|
| Candy Type | Powdered candy with edible dipping stick | Powdered candy in a paper or plastic straw |
| Introduced | 1952 (as Lik-M-Aid) | 1950s |
| Manufacturer | Ferrara Candy Company | Ferrara Candy Company |
| Eating Method | Dip stick into powder, lick off | Pour powder directly into mouth from straw |
| Flavors | Cherry, Grape, RazzApple, Cherry Yum Diddly Dip | Cherry, Grape, Strawberry, Orange, Watermelon |
| Availability | Widely available in stores and online | Widely available in stores and online |
| Candy Texture | Fine sweet-sour powder with solid edible stick | Fine sweet-sour powder only, no stick |
The Company That Makes Fun Dip
The company that makes Fun Dip is Nestlé, a Swiss multinational food and drink company headquartered in Vevey, Vaud, Switzerland. The Nestlé company acquired Fun Dip from its purchase of Rowntree Mackintosh Confectionery in 1988. In the year 1993, Nestlé named the company it bought to The Willy Wonka Candy Company and re-branded the products that came with it.
The Year Fun Dip Was Invented
Fun Dip was we know it now was invented in the year 1973 after being re-branded and re-imagined. The predecessor to Fun Dip, Lik-M-Aid, was first invented around the year 1952 and was itself a re-branded and re-imaged product from the drink mix called Fruzola Jr that was produced around the 1940s.
The Company That Invented Fun Dip
The company that invented Fun Dip was Sunline Inc, which became Sunmark, Inc and first made the precursor forms when the company was still called Fruzola in the 1940s and ’50s. Eventually Sunmark, Inc would be bought by Rowntree Mackintosh Confectionery and was later itself acquired by the company Nestlé.
Logo
Pictures
Flavors
- Grape Yumptious Dtip
- Cherry Yum Diddly Dip
- Razz Apple Magic Dip
- Wonderous Watermelon
- Strawberry Licious
- Mystery Flavor
- Mean Green Apple
- Wimpy Watermelon
- Wicked Lemonaid
- Mango
- Watermelon Sandia
- Strawberry Fresa
- Lime (Lik-M-Aid)
- Cherry (Lik-M-Aid)
- Grape (Lik-M-Aid)
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients:
- Cherry
- Dextrose
- Maltodextrin
- Less than 2% of Citric Acid
- calcium Stearate
- Natural Flavors
- Red 40 Lake
- RazzApple:
- Dextrose
- Maltodextrin
- Less than 2% of Citric Acid
- Calcium Stearate
- Natural Flavors, Blue 1, Blue 1 Lake, Yellow 5.
Nutrition
| Serving Size: | 1 pouch (12g) | % Daily Value* |
| Amount Per Serving | ||
| Calories from Fat | 0 | |
| Calories | 46 | |
| Total Fat | 0g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat | 0g | 0% |
| Cholesterol | 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 0.1mg | 0% |
| Potassium | 0.2mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrates | 12g | 4% |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g | 0% |
| Sugars | 12g | |
| Protein | 0g | |
| Vitamin A | 0% | |
| Vitamin C | 0% | |
| Calcium | 0% | |
| Iron | 0% |
- Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Reviews
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FAQ
What is Fun Dip?
Fun Dip is a candy that comes in a pouch. It includes a candy-based stick and powdered candy that you dip the stick into after licking. It is a completely contained snack, everything you need is in the pouch. The candy stick is included in one pouch, and one or more separate pouches include candy powder that you can dip in stick into, then lick the candy off, and the stick is also edible.
Frequently Asked Questions about Fun Dip
What is Fun Dip and how do you eat it?
Fun Dip is a candy that comes in a pouch containing a candy-based stick called a Lik.A.Stix and one or more pouches of flavored powdered candy. To eat it, you lick the candy stick to moisten it, dip it into the powdered candy, and then lick the powder off the stick. The candy stick itself is also fully edible, so nothing goes to waste.
What was Fun Dip originally called?
Fun Dip was originally called Lik-M-Aid, a name that reflected its licking-based eating method. The product was created by the Fruzola Company, which later became Sunline Inc., and the Lik-M-Aid trademark was filed in 1952. Interestingly, the words Lik-M-Aid are still printed on modern Fun Dip packaging, possibly as a nod to the candy's long history.
When was Fun Dip invented and who invented it?
The earliest version of Fun Dip, then called Lik-M-Aid, was invented by the Fruzola Company with a trademark filing date of 1952, suggesting it existed at least by that year if not earlier. The product as we know it today, named Fun Dip and featuring the Lik.A.Stix candy stick, was created in 1973 by Sunline Inc. The original inspiration came from a Fruzola drink mix called Fruzola Jr., made around the 1940s, which children were observed eating directly rather than mixing into drinks.
What did Lik-M-Aid look like before the candy stick was added?
Before the Lik.A.Stix candy stick was introduced in 1973, Lik-M-Aid did not include any kind of dipping stick. Instead, the candy was often eaten by turning the pouch upside down and letting the powdered candy fall directly into the mouth. The addition of the candy stick was the key innovation that prompted the rebranding from Lik-M-Aid to Fun Dip.
What flavors does Fun Dip come in?
Fun Dip has been produced in a variety of flavors over the years, including Cherry, Grape, RazzApple Magic Dip, and Cherry Yum Diddly Dip. The powdered candy tends to be sweet, sour, or a combination of both, and is often compared in taste to the sugar-sour powder coating found on products like Sour Skittles. Packages have evolved from single and double flavor varieties to triple-flavor packages that can include two Lik.A.Stix sticks.
We want packs of just Lik-A-Stiks
A child of the 50s I loved lic m aid! I poured it inside my lip and pretended it was snuff! The good old days.