Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website.
Henry Rowntrees

1862

In 1862, Henry Rowntree bought a simple cocoa works in York and turned it into a confectionery company. Henry was joined in business in 1869 by his brother Joseph Rowntree who eventually took over and transformed the company’s fortunes.

1862 Connect Line
Rowntrees Clear Gums

1881

The brothers hired French confectioner August Claude Gaget. With his expertise, they developed the recipe for Rowntree’s® Fruit Pastilles, which they launched in 1881. Rowntree’s® Fruit Pastilles were a huge success, and led the company to develop Rowntree’s® Clear Gums (now known as Rowntree’s® Fruit Gums) in 1893.

1881 Connect Line
Sweet Packets 1928

1928

Rowntree’s® were early adopters of many forms of advertising. You can see some of our favourite examples from across the decades on our advertising page.

1928 Connect Line
rowntrees fruit pastilles 1965

1965

1965 saw the launch of Rowntree’s® Jelly Tots®. In 1969, Rowntree’s® merged with rival confectionery company Mackintosh. This merger brought a number of popular confectionery products into the Rowntree’s® range, including Tooty Frooties®.

1965 Connect Line
Nestle Logo 1988

1988

In 1988 Rowntree’s® was bought by the Swiss company Nestlé®, who decided to keep Rowntree’s® as the name of their UK fruit confectionery range.

1988 Connect Line
no_artificial_ingredients_2005

2005

In 2005 Rowntree’s® pledged no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives in any of their products.

2005 Connect Line
rowntrees randoms 2009

2009

Rowntree’s® Randoms® launched in 2009, and quickly became
one of the UK’s favourite sweet treats.

2009 Connect Line
Our Story Vegan Range 2021

2021

Following several requests, Rowntree’s® changed the recipe of their renowned Fruit Pastilles by removing gelatine to become vegan-friendly. Fruit Pastilles® join our existing vegan-friendly Jelly Tots® sweets and create the Rowntree’s® vegan-friendly range.

Today

Today

Today, Rowntree’s® remain the nation’s fruity favourite, with more single tubes of Fruit Pastilles sold than any other fruit confectionery product in the UK. In fact, our products are enjoyed by 15 million people every year! We’ve also updated our Fruit Gums recipe to join our vegan friendly family, meaning you can also enjoy Pick & Mix as part of a vegan friendly diet!