Just Born's Spooky Friends candy made in China
Staff and wire reports
7:11 PM EDT, October 30, 2007

The maker of Peeps -- the fluffy, yellow, marshmallow chicks that have
spawned a fanatical following -- has tapped an overseas manufacturer to make
candies for the first time in the company's history.

Just Born Inc.of Bethlehem made its Spooky Friends marshmallow treats for
Halloween in China.

American consumers have been concerned about products made in China, which
has been hit by a series of recalls of substandard goods and lead-tainted
toys.



An August poll by The Associated Press found most Americans believe the U.S.
government is not doing enough to ensure that Chinese imports are safe.

Just Born researched contractors before making a selection, and the
manufacturer will be subject to ongoing tests to maintain quality,
spokeswoman Milena DeLuca said today.

She did not have the name of the company hired to make Peeps products and
said that information was not immediately available late today.

"We chose the one that we felt could provide the cleanest and best
environment to produce the product," DeLuca said.

Just Born said it was making the foray into outsourcing for the first time
in its 84-year history because its plant in Bethlehem cannot individually
wrap the Spooky Friends candies.

Privately owned Just Born said it wanted to make sure there's a demand for
the product before investing in equipment to make the treats in the United
States.

"It's expensive and we wanted to make sure we have a viable product before
we'll source it here," said Kathy Bassininski, vice president of brand
development and corporate services.

Just Born has sold out this Halloween's entire inventory of Spooky Friends
to retailers.

The company will find out later whether shoppers went for the marshmallow
candies, which come shaped like pumpkins, bats, ghosts and spiders.

Just Born made the decision to test outsourcing last year, before the
Chinese products scandals hit.

The candymaker said its popular Peeps and most of its other confectionery
will continue to be manufactured in Pennsylvania.

The Associated Press and Morning Call reporter Spencer Soper contributed to
this story.
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