The History of Pop Rocks

In 1956, a scientist with General Foods found a way to make a candy that popped in your mouth. General foods approved the idea and the product was named Pop Rocks, obviously because of its characteristics. The first three flavors where orange, cherry, and grape.

Soon after the product became available, mothers became worried about the candy because the thought (because of the co2 gas in it) that combined with a can of soda it may cause the stomach to explode.

In 1979 a child died from his stomach exploding after eating pop rocks and soda together. This child was nicknamed the "exploding kid". General Foods wrote over 50,000 letters to school principals throughout the nation , assuring them that Pop Rocks had only half as much gas as a can of soda in them so it would not cause any serious injury.

In 1985 the pressure became too much for General Foods to handle, so they sold the wrights to the candy to Kraft, and they where very successful with their product. Today Pop Rocks is a favorite among American children.