UNCONVENTIONAL WORLD RECORDS

By CHRIS NEWMARKER, Associated Press Writer

TRENTON, N.J. – Production of candy shaped like roadkill has come to a screeching halt. The decision, announced Friday by Kraft Foods Inc., was the result of an outcry by New Jersey animal rights activists who said the candy encouraged children to be cruel to animals.

“We take comments from our consumers really seriously and, in hindsight, we understand that this product could be misunderstood,” said Kraft spokesman Larry Baumann.

Kraft plans to stop production as soon as possible and then sell off remaining inventory, Baumann said.

The fruity-flavored Trolli Road Kill Gummi Candy ? shaped like flattened snakes, chickens and squirrels, complete with tire treads ? hit store shelves across the United States last summer and was supposed to be another offbeat and unusual addition to Kraft’s Gummi candy line.

But the nonprofit New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals thought differently. Earlier this week, it threatened petition drives, boycotts and letter-writing campaigns.

Stuart Rhodes, the organization’s president, said he never thought his group’s efforts would be so successful.

“Did I think it would happen as fast as I did? No. I guess like most people I’ve become very cynical. All too often it seems that profit rules all. This was refreshing,” Rhodes said.

The state of New Jersey designates the NJSPCA the enforcer of its animal cruelty laws. Law enforcement takes up a large part of the group’s efforts, but Rhodes has stressed more public advocacy since he took over a year ago.

This is the first time the organization has complained to a company about a product, Rhodes said.

Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. is in the process of acquiring the Trolli brand along with other Kraft candy lines as part of a $1.48 billion deal.

http://www.candystand.com/trolli  

According to candywarehouse.com website entry on roadkill:

New, cool shape from Trolli! Gummi Trolli brings back the fun of Gummi Candy with an off beat twist on animal shapes. Trolli Road Kill is three animals; a Snake, a Chicken and a Squirrel, each with a tire track down the middle of the piece!

Case contains 12 Trolli Road Kill Gummy peg bags, each with a net weight of 5 ounces.

Unit Price = $1.65/bag.

Shipping Weight ~ 4 lbs.

As reported on CNN/Associated Press Friday February 25, 2005 and protested by animal rights activists everywhere!

ATTENTION: Due to the huge demand for this amazing product, orders will be shipped after March 11, 2005 when we receive a new truckload delivery from the factory.

Customer Quotes, Friday February 25, 2005:

“I recently read an article about your Road Kill candy and how some people are against it. I say KEEP it coming. I have 2 children and I’ll buy it for them, as long as I can teach my kids right from wrong I don’t need some rights group to tell me what kind of candy to buy. I plan on buying a whole bunch of it just to show them I still have a choice. Thank You” Robert

“I have just read where the animal lovers are up in arms about the “Road Kill” gummy candy. I like animals too, but they are taking it to far. I think that this idea is cute, and don’t pull it from the shelves. Thanks….. B.B.”

“Keep the Road Kill candy! It is funny, cute, and the PETA folks just needed something to whine about. It’s a shrewd business decision, and it not offensive to 98% of the public. Don’t let the 2% fool you. Peace.” PLM

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