Bulk confectionery

Bulk confectionery is a method of commercially dispensing multiple small units of confectionery, either in manufactured bags with a fixed number of units per container, or by the amount of mass placed in a bag. The former is typically used in vending machines, while the latter is more common in retailers that specialize in selling confectionery. Some shops allow the customer to mix multiple types of bulk confectionery in the same bag, then purchase the mixture based on the total weight.

In the United States, some of these confections are called penny candy, and are sold by the piece in candy, soda fountain, and five and dime stores. In Britain, this type of candy is also referred to as pick 'n' mix. It is also known as loose candy.

Loose candy is candy, typically sold at kiosks, grocery stores and candy stores in the way that the customer picks up whatever kind, and how much, of candy he/she wants (typically with a scoop) into a bag by him/herself. The price of the candy depends on its weight, and the weighing can be either done by the customer or the seller.

Loose candy in a bag.

Sweden is the largest importer of candy in the world. The largest vendor of loose candy in the Nordic Countries is Candy King.

A selection of loose candy.

Loose candy first came to kiosks and cafés in the late 1970s.^{[citation needed]} It was sold by units instead of by weight - in the time of the Finnish markka, even candy costing 1 penni (0.01 markka) per unit was available. The candy was put into the bag by the seller, not by the customer. They were often on display in glass jars in front of the window; the seller would take candy with a spoon at the customer's request, for example "five of those" or "a markka's worth of those".

Loose candy in a bowl.

Regulations for selling loose candy state that the products must be hygienically placed, different kinds of candy must be placed in separate jars, and that candy may only be picked up by utensils, such as pliers, spoons or scoops.

The first loose candy was fruit-flavoured gummy bears, salty liquorice flavoured "pirate coins" and powder-filled "bombs" that were available in both salty liquorice and fruit flavours. Loose candy varieties also included salty liquorice flavoured Mermaids, which were slightly larger than most loose candy sold by units.

History

In the UK, Woolworths' high street stores were known for selling a range of pick 'n' mix sweets, usually from two separate ranges, with one side being provided by Candyking, and the other made up by Woolworths' themselves. Towards the end of the company's life, they had only one big selection aimed at both adults and children.

The final bag of Woolworths' Pick 'n' Mix was sold on eBay for £14,500.

Since the demise of Woolworths', a number of different retailers have started providing pick 'n' mix to fill the niche.

WH Smith, Wilkinson and supermarket chains Morrisons and Tesco have started to provide ranges from Candyking.

Because of inflation and the decline of the penny's value, penny candy is more often sold for a nickel or a dime. Penny candy is a tradition that became more uncommon after the 1960s as shopping patterns changed and the number of small mom-and-pop shops and general stores was reduced. Some of the older stores sold penny candy as well as lunchmeat and newspapers. A resurgence of sorts has taken place as new stores sell candy such as the 48 flavors of Jelly Bellies in bulk by weight.

Advantages and disadvantages

An advantage of loose candy is that a customer can select his/her own favourite kinds of candy and mix them freely. A disadvantage is that because of the large selection and large bags that the candy is placed, it is easy to buy larger volumes of candy than was originally intended. Some bags can even hold several litres of candy.

Consumption and sales

The Swedish eat the most loose candy in the world, and the peak consumption day is Maundy Thursday. Loose candy is also popular in Finland and Norway, but not in Denmark. Youths and women aged between 25 and 60 eat the most loose candy. The annual consumption in Sweden is over 18 kg per person. About 100 million bags of loose candy are sold every year in Sweden. An average bag weighs about 350 g, which represents an entire day's supply of energy (about 1600 kcal) for a child. However, candy does not include vitamins or minerals.

Salty liquorice is both the most loved and the most hated variety of loose candy. Sour candies are popular among youths. Sweet-flavoured gummy candy is popular among the most people. Foam candy is a favourite among children. The elderly usually favour those varieties that have existed for a long time.

Many independent news agents sell candies this way; unlike supermarkets, however, they do not usually provide pick 'n' mix in self-service form. With the labour required, some news agents made the decision to only sell sweets prepacked by weight (usually per 100 g). In such shops, pick 'n' mix bags are usually kept behind the counter with cigarettes, stamps and lottery tickets. Some retailers will offer a selection of items as "pick 'n' mix" which may be bought in any combination for a set price; this is a common technique used by Boots the Chemist to sell toiletries.

Health effects

Consumption of loose candy is seen by many as a possible factor for obesity and various diseases. This goes in common with the sale of loose candy and the general weight gain among the Swedish. Loose candy constitutes about 4% of Sweden's sugar consumption.^{[citation needed]}

Media

Television

• In the British Channel 4 science fiction comedy-drama Misfits,Nathan Young is a fictional character portrayed by Robert Sheehan whose storyline includes being sent to community service for stealing some pick 'n' mix, then aggravating the situation by insulting and then assaulting the store manager.

Music

• Arctic Monkeys song "Crying Lightning" from the album Humbug

"Sat in the cafe by the cracker factory

We were practicing our magic trick

And my thoughts got rude

As you talked and chewed

On the last of your pick and mix

Said your mistaken if you thinking that I am gun’ go cold before

As you bit into your strawberry lace,

And then a flip in your attention in the form of a gobstopper,

Is all you have left and all is going to waste"

List of bulk confectionery

• Bottle caps
• Candy corn
• Fruit sours
• Hot Tamales
• Jelly beans
• M&M's
• Mentos
• Mints
• Skittles
• Tic Tacs
• Tootsie Rolls
• Sugar Daddy (candy)
• Apple drops
• Atomic fireballs
• Smarties
• Red Hots
• Peppermint sticks
• Ropes of licorice
• Pretzels
• Sour balls
• Wax candy
• Bubble gum (e.g. Bazooka)
• Suckers (lollies)
• Jawbreakers

• Gummi bears
• Pixy Stix
• Caramels
• Mary Janes
• Bit-O-Honey
• Warheads
• Toxic Waste

• Penny candy types
• 

  Smarties

• 

  Peppermint and other candy sticks

• 

  A sucker

• 

  Plate of jawbreakers

• 

  Bit-o-Honey

• 

  Gummi bears