Swedish Fish

Swedish Fish is a fish-shaped chewy wine gum candy, originally developed by the Swedish candy producer Malaco in the late 1950s for the U.S. market.

According to the USA distribution packages, the candy is made out of the following ingredients:

One of the ingredients in Swedish Fish is invert sugar, a combination of glucose and fructose. Invert sugar is important in Swedish Fish due to its ability to retain moisture.

Fructose has high solubility, therefore it holds more water and crystallizes less easily. This is why Swedish Fish have a very long shelf life and does not spoil so easily.

Swedish Fish have modified cornstarch which is used primarily to form its shape. It is utilized as a medium in trays when the product is put in them to be molded. In addition, white mineral oil is added to these trays to supplement the starch, prevent the candy from crumbling, and give it a shiny coating.

Carnauba wax is used in Swedish Fish as a coating and gives the candy a waxy texture.

Citric acid gives the Swedish Fish an even longer shelf life.

In Sweden, large amounts of confectionery are sold every year, and a substantial part of it is sold as pick and mix. Wine gums are sold in many different shapes, of which fish is just one. The Swedish Fish candy is marketed under the name "pastellfiskar", literally "pastel fish", and under the Malaco brand among others. The fish shaped candies are also part of various Malaco bags of mixed candy. This candy bag has been sold for many years and is still a favorite among Swedes.

Today the Swedish Fish consumed in North America are made in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and Turkey by Mondelēz International. In Canada, Swedish Fish are distributed under Cadbury's Maynards brand.

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Wikipedia