They are small, available in six colors and have a sophisticated edible coating. Originally introduced in 1941, the reason was a lack of chocolate sales during the warm summer months. These candies are a good example of the application of edible films and coating. Edible films have been around for a long time. Sausage casings made from animal intestines, and more recently collagen, allow meat batters to be held in a form until heat set.
Sausages are one of the earliest forms of processed foods.
Wax coatings on fruits and vegetables to prevent moisture loss have been used since the 1800s. Edible coatings are not just laboratory playthings, and they are being used. As the accompanying Scientific Status Summary suggests, we are steadily enriching our basic understanding of edible films. This understanding allows them to be used in target applications. And, several commercially available films and coatings give product developers an opportunity to solve very specific design problems.