Is Fruit Stripe Discontinued? What Happened?
Fate: Ferrara Candy Company discontinued Fruit Stripe in January 2024 following a portfolio review.
Fruit Stripe was an American chewing gum line famous for its rainbow stripes and mascot Yipes the Zebra. First introduced by Beech-Nut in 1969, it later passed through several owners before landing at Ferrara Candy Company. Packs often included temporary tattoos, and the brand’s five fruit flavors became a nostalgic touchstone—remembered lovingly for flavor that faded fast. Yipes became a household name in the early 1990s with catchy commercials and marketing. The mascot became so popular that the World Wildlife Federation partnered with Fruit Stripe to raise $100,000 through donations from every pack of gum purchased. Yipes was even elevated to game show fame by appearing as the answer to a Jeopardy! question in 2016.
Ferrara continued to ride the success of Fruit Stripe Gum in 2022, introducing Fruit Stripe Gummy Candy in three flavors - tangerine, lemon, and cherry. But consumer preferences changed in just a few short years. Ferrara chose to discontinue the Fruit Stripe brand in 2024, ending more than five decades of a pop-culture favorite.
Timeline
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1969
- January — Fruit Stripe debuts under Beech-Nut with striped sticks and fruit flavors.
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2024
- January 10 — Ferrara confirms it will discontinue Fruit Stripe after a portfolio review.
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1990s-01
- Yipes the Zebra gains cult status, while temporary tattoos become a signature addition to every pack of gum
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1996s-01
- Fruit Stripe's association with animals leads to a partnership with the World Wildlife Fund, raising about $100,000 for endangered animals through five-cent donations from gum purchases
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2016s-01
- Jeopardy! highlights Yipes the Zebra on the game show, asking contestants what kind of animal he was
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2022s-01
- Ferrera expands on Fruit Stripe popularity, introducing Fruit Stripe Gummy Candy in tangerine, lemon and cherry flavors
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Fruit Stripe Gum?
Fruit Stripe was a rainbow‑striped chewing gum first sold in 1969. It was known for its bright colors, bold fruit flavors, and mascot Yipes the Zebra.
Who made Fruit Stripe?
It started under Beech‑Nut and later passed through several owners before landing at Ferrara Candy Company.
What flavors did Fruit Stripe have?
Packs usually included five fruit flavors. Fans loved the sweet taste even though the flavor faded quickly.
Why was Yipes the Zebra so popular?
Yipes starred in commercials, appeared on every pack, and even inspired temporary tattoos inside the wrapper. In the 1990s, he became a pop‑culture mascot and later showed up as a Jeopardy! clue in 2016.
Did Fruit Stripe support any causes?
Yes. The brand partnered with the World Wildlife Fund and donated money from each pack sold, raising $100,000.
Did Fruit Stripe ever expand beyond gum?
Ferrara introduced Fruit Stripe Gummy Candy in 2022 with tangerine, lemon, and cherry flavors.
When was Fruit Stripe discontinued?
Ferrara discontinued the entire Fruit Stripe brand in 2024, ending more than 50 years of production.
How is Fruit Stripe remembered today?
People remember it for its stripes, its tattoos, its fast‑fading flavor, and Yipes — a gum aisle icon for generations.
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