Talk:Smarties (tablet candy)

Older comments

http://image.orientaltrading.com/otcimg/k26.jpg —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.113.206.138 (talk) 15:41, 19 October 2007 (UTC) "These are marketed outside of the US under the brand name "Rockets"" - then why does the tube in the photo, which is clearly marked "Made in Canada", say "SMARTIES"? 86.132.138.189 14:59, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

This is explained here - it appears that they are made but not sold in Canada (at least under the Smarties name). -SCEhardT 17:15, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

"Smarties" is a trademarked name of a chocolate candy in Canada and hence when sold in Canada they are sold as rockets. However when being made for export they are labled "smarties", probably because rockets is trademarked by someone else in the US. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Mystic eye (talk • contribs) 17:27, 10 March 2007 (UTC).

One time I looked at a smarties wrapper and it said it was a product of the hershey company. Am I mistaken? - Phöénix 02:22, 11 October 2006 (UTC)

Are these the same as Fizzers, made and sold in the UK by Swizzels Matlow? [The size, shape and packaging look quite similar.] Is there any direct relationship between the sweets and/or companies? Did one side of the Atlantic just copy the other, or is it an example of parallel evolution??--137.222.142.27 12:33, 31 October 2006 (UTC) hi........ Aha! Just found on the smarties.com site that Edward Dee brought his experience from Swizzels Matlow to the States in 1949 to set up Ce De Candy, and I note that a David Dee was in at the start of Swizzels in the UK in 1933 - I guess Edward and David might be related, and that Edward took knowledge of the pressed tablet fizzy sweets with him.--137.222.142.27 12:33, 31 October 2006 (UTC)

25 calories?

Because they are made of nearly pure sugar, and sugar has more than 500 KILOcalories per 100g this can't be true. maybe the packaging is 25g and the contained energy is 25 KILOcalories, which still sounds too low.

P.S.: One should also note that such a rush of pure sugar attacks the borders of the veins and therefore is moved to the fat pads very quickly.

-- 212.100.55.169 18:54, 2 December 2006 (UTC)

Fixed.—Dah31 03:47, 18 December 2006 (UTC)

BS —Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.72.21.221 (talk) 19:40, 27 October 2007 (UTC)

The figures of 25 calories and 6 grams of sugar per roll come from the manufacturer.[1] I had moved this info over from the Wikipedia article on Ce De Candy as it didn't really pertain to the company, but rather to the candy. However, I didn't know that this information had been questioned. Since this is (mildly?) controversial, I have added a citation to the company's website. If we find a reliable source that questions this data, we can certainly add that to the article. --GentlemanGhost (talk) 18:11, 23 November 2007 (UTC)

According to my research, carbohydrates give approximately 4 calories per gram. So 6 grams of sugar would be 24 calories. So 25 is probably accurate.

However, I haven't tested whether there is actually only 6 grams of sugar per pack. -- JJLY http://www.calorie-charts.net/

For clarification - Calories (capital C) on American food labels actually refers to kilocalories. So if a food is labeled as having 100 Calories, it has 100,000 calories. Applejuicefool (talk) 17:07, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

UK?

They are the same as Fizzers in the UK, not refreshers.

Refreshers are a chew bar!—The preceding unsigned comment was added by 82.153.199.50 (talk • contribs).

Well now, it turns out that everybody's right: they're similar to both Fizzers and Refreshers, but there's also another Refreshers which is a chew bar. Just see this search at aquarterof.co.uk. —Blotwell 19:50, 9 March 2007 (UTC)

Are Refreshers (as in the UK) actually made by the same people? We should mention it in the article. Marnanel 18:11, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

The chewy Refreshers are by Swizzels Matlow. The "tablet-style" ones are by Barratt, but they are larger than Fizzers, (original) Parma Violets and these American Refreshers. Shiroi Hane (talk) 06:00, 19 November 2012 (UTC)

Refreshers?

The Parma Violets article states that this candy, as well as Parma Violets, are the same type as the Refreshers candy by the same company. The only Swizzels Matlow candy I've ever seen called Refresher's is Matlow's Refreshers, a chewy candy akin to the Drumstick and Snap & Crackle candies. Also, Refreshers redirects to this article, and this article doesn't even mention Refreshers, nor is this candy made by Swizzels Matlow... Anyone know why? Should Refreshers, given that it doesn't have an article of its own, just redirect to Swizzels Matlow? This needs to be fixed. --Ifrit 11:58, 5 September 2007 (UTC) dfjklhadsbjldkfjlbhj,gZXvb,kghASDGFAASDGDSGA —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.113.206.138 (talk) 15:39, 19 October 2007 (UTC)

Why the name?

Anybody know why they are called Smarties? This is a question from my 4 yr old?! Thanks! 71.64.29.130 21:32, 31 October 2007 (UTC)

I can speculate they are called Smarties because Smarties was/is a popular candy and Europe and possibly by taking the same name, boost the popularity of their own product. But you can tell your four-year-old that the company is trying to make people believe Smarties make them smarter or that they really do make people smarter. I could swear when I eat some, I do math like 3x as fast as normal. That just might be me being hyper though... Darksamus8 (talk) —Preceding comment was added at 01:35, 4 April 2008 (UTC)

UK Smarties are called Smarties because they used to have letters on the inside of the lids, and people would write words with them. They now (since their redesign) have general knowledge questions on the outside of the tube, and the answer inside. As for the US version, I'm guessing they've just used the UK name! KillerKat (talk) 14:57, 12 April 2009 (UTC)

The name is completely unrelated to the UK Smarties and not even influenced by said name. Smarties in Europe didn't even have the time to become known in the US by the time US Smarties were first produced. 71.75.195.12 (talk) 17:49, 3 November 2011 (UTC)

Refreshers, Fizzers, Rockets and Smarties

I've made some changes to the opening paragraph to reflect the discussion here which states that the US Smarties are the Canadian (not the "outside the US") Rockets and the English Fizzers (which are also exported to Australia). The tablet-style Refreshers (as opposed to the chewy sweet) are distinctly different in size, texture and flavour to any of these, and so I have removed them from the article, since the reference was misleading. I invite someone else to fill out the details of the company history. --131.111.100.49 (talk) 14:15, 29 May 2008 (UTC)

WSJ article / Controversy / Misuse of Product

Page one, 20 March 2009 article "Just Say No....to Smarties? Faux Smoking Has Parents Fuming" about a fad where students crush Smarties into powder then use the results to look like they're exhaling smoke. Something to include? - Denimadept (talk) 19:00, 20 March 2009 (UTC)

Wow, this has been going on where I live since forever. Parent's are just hearing about it...? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.134.227.73 (talk) 01:44, 14 October 2009 (UTC)

When I was a kid it was fashionable to crush the smarties and snort them like cocaine...at least we always dared the others to do so....kids will be kids and do dumb things. We are all alive who did it back in the 80s and I am pretty sure the ones nowadays will also survive.--88.69.121.140 (talk) 19:49, 2 November 2009 (UTC)

Updates 2015

Recently removed content in this section included:

Although the trend was once thought to be a hoax, today there are thousands of YouTube videos, some with hundreds of thousands of views demonstrating how to smoke or snort the candy. Schools have sent out warnings to parents.

The [school] warnings include *The particles act like glass shards, and if they reach the nose, the particles can trigger potentially life-threatening complications, especially for children with asthma and allergies. *Possible reactions include chronic coughing and choking, irritation of the lungs, infection followed by scarring of the nasal cavity, anaphylaxis, *This trend may even contribute to a craving for tobacco and other drugs involving insufflation. Another warning often attributed is that there is a "rare possibility of an infestation of maggots in the nose in which they feed on the sugar." The physician quoted on nasal maggots, Dr. Oren Friedman, reported they were only a possibility. He stated while he has never seen a case of nasal maggots from Smarties, he has seen maggots develop from other food products in the nose.

Although regarded as unsubstantiated with no actual case reported, there is a real hysteria about the possibility of Nasal Maggots, and school authorities are distributing this. This is also mentioned at Snopes.com, which is not a quotable source on Wikipedia. I am not sure where this falls in the WP:NOT. Group29 (talk) 13:40, 15 April 2015 (UTC)

References

Merge with KLIK Rockets Dispenser

The KLIK Rockets Dispenser article does not present sufficient information to stand on its own. It should be merged here. Neelix (talk) 19:22, 16 September 2009 (UTC)

Made in U.S.A. / Canada comparison picture

Is the Made in U.S.A. / Made in Canada comparison picture really necessary. And if it is, maybe we should make it look slightly more professional? (This is the uploader's only picture on Commons; they also have no user / user talk pages. They do have 36 contribs and 2 notices on Wikipedia) George8211 ^{conversations / new message} 17:24, 29 September 2013 (UTC)

I was trying to figure out if that's one photograph or two spliced together, because if it's a single shot, the Canadian ones seem to be slightly larger. (I'm not sure I've ever seen both varieties next to each other for comparison. Maybe they really are larger? Should be mentioned in the text if that's the case.) Lurlock (talk) 17:24, 7 December 2013 (UTC)

Edit request

• Specific text to be added or removed:

−

Snorting controversy[edit source] In January 2011, a middle school in Portsmouth reported that its students had started to crush the Smarties into a fine powder and inhale them, mimicking a form of cocaine consumption, following a YouTube trend. The administration sent emails regarding the incident, and rumors started circulating that you could get maggots growing in the nostrils, feeding on the powdered Smarties. These rumors have been proven false, but real health effects could be scarring of the nasal cavity, nosebleeds, irritation, and a possible risk of allergic reaction. A similar trend also observed at the same time at the Portsmouth school was "smoking" the Smarties, taking in the dust orally and blowing it out, resembling cigarette smoke.

+

• Reason for the change: I kindly request that this paragraph be reviewed and potentially amended for accuracy and relevance. The information cited does not contain conclusive or fact-based evidence of any controversy and may be misleading to readers.
• References supporting change: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/middle-school-warns-snorting-smarties-may-lead-to-nasal-maggots/
• Disclosure: I am a paid employee of Smarties Candy Company, and I want to ensure accurate and unbiased information is presented.

KirsiLem (talk) 13:41, 11 December 2023 (UTC)

Reply 11-DEC-2023

• While I agree this information is questionable, your reasons are vague.

1. I kindly request that this paragraph be reviewed and potentially amended for accuracy and relevance. This makes it sound as if only portions of the text need to be altered, whereas you've proposed a blanket deletion.
2. The information cited does not contain conclusive or fact-based evidence of any controversy Specific examples from the text that the COI editor views as inconclusive (as opposed to conclusive) as well as fiction-based evidence (as opposed to fact-based evidence) should be pointed out in the text. Please advise.

• When ready to proceed with the requested clarifications, kindly change the {{Edit COI}} template's answer parameter to read from |ans=y to |ans=n. Thank you! Regards,  Spintendo  21:49, 11 December 2023 (UTC)

• • Specific text to be removed:

−

*:Snorting controversy[edit] *:In January 2011, a middle school in Portsmouth reported that its students had started to crush the Smarties into a fine powder and inhale them, mimicking a form of cocaine consumption, following a YouTube trend. The administration sent emails regarding the incident, and rumors started circulating that you could get maggots growing in the nostrils, feeding on the powdered Smarties. These rumors have been proven false, but real health effects could be scarring of the nasal cavity, nosebleeds, irritation, and a possible risk of allergic reaction. A similar trend also observed at the same time at the Portsmouth school was "smoking" the Smarties, taking in the dust orally and blowing it out, resembling cigarette smoke.

+

• I kindly request the removal of the 'Snorting controversy' section.

  Reason for the change:

  1) The incident, claimed to be a 'trend,' occurred in 2011 and lacks ongoing relevance.

  2) The source is dated 2014, contributing to potential outdated information.

  3) The section relies on an email from Portsmouth Middle School claiming a 'widespread phenomenon' without evidence of a specific incident, raising questions about reliability.

  4) Quotes from local parent John McDaid cast doubt on the seriousness of the alleged trend, suggesting it may be perceived as a hoax.

  5) McDaid questions the appropriateness of the school's response, emphasizing the importance of accurate advisories.

  6) The article notes the Portsmouth School department could not be reached for comment, adding uncertainty to the validity and source of the claimed 'trend.'

  This edit aligns with Wikipedia's guidelines on accuracy, relevance, and avoidance of unnecessary or potentially unsourced content.

  • References supporting change:

  - Link to article cited by 'Snorting controversy' section author: [CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/middle-school-warns-snorting-smarties-may-lead-to-nasal-maggots/)

  - Quote 1 from 'Snorting controversy' section:

  "In January 2011, a middle school in Portsmouth reported that its students had started to crush the Smarties into a fine powder and inhale them, mimicking a form of cocaine consumption, following a YouTube trend."

  The Portsmouth School department could not be reached for comment, so no incidents were reported or cited in this article. Rather, Portsmouth Middle School in Rhode Island warned parents in a newsletter and local parent's "first reaction to reading the email was that this was a hoax," one noting that "he would have preferred if the school identified a specific incident that led to the warning." The parent also stated, “The story here is how this school responded in a way that’s inappropriate to my mind... the worst thing you can do is make your own advisories look like a joke." No instance of this phenomenon are cited in this article, only a broad non-fact based claim that this act became a "trend."

  - Quote 2 from 'Snorting controversy' section:

  "A similar trend also observed at the same time at the Portsmouth school was 'smoking' the Smarties, taking in the dust orally and blowing it out, resembling cigarette smoke."

  Once again, no instance of this phenomenon are cited in this article, only a broad non-fact based claim that this act became a "trend" which the Portsmouth Middle School did not comment on for the article.

  • Disclosure:

  I am a paid employee of Smarties Candy Company, and I want to ensure accurate and unbiased information is presented.

  • Thank you @Spintendo for your previous response!

  KirsiLem (talk) 18:49, 14 December 2023 (UTC)

Reply 18-DEC-2023

• Re-reading the CBS News source, I don't see anything mentioned in the article which wasn't in their reporting. One important point however that was missed, stated The story here is how this school responded in a way that’s inappropriate to my mind,” he (McDaid) said. “If your goal is to keep kids from dangerous drugs, the worst thing you can do is make your own advisories look like a joke." As McDaid is a parent of one of the children at this school, and because their point was made in the CBS News source, I've included it in the mentioning of this incident to act as WP:BALANCE to what looks like the school's overreaction. Regards,  Spintendo  01:09, 19 December 2023 (UTC)