Made in the USA
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 McJak has been proud to produce our quality candies in the heart of America for 30 years. Not only are 100% of our products made in our own factory in Ohio by American workers, but over 90% of our ingredients and packaging are made by American manufacturers. In fact, we have over twenty suppliers that are producing right here in the good ol’ USA!
But our story is only part of the extensive history that belongs to the American confectionary industry.
Although it might be impossible to establish an exact history of this American industry, the industry’s history is often traced all the way back until the 1800s, when, in 1848, the first branded American chewing gum, called State of Maine Spruce Gum, was produced by John Curtis. Several years later, in 1868, Richard Cadbury introduced the first Valentine’s Day box of chocolates. Then, during the 1890s, Milton Hershey purchased the equipment necessary to produce his first “American” candy bar, and William Wrigley, Jr. introduced his Juicy Fruit and Spearmint flavors of chewing gum. In 1902, the New England Confectionary Company (NECCO), which first distributed its NECCO wafers in 1902, produced the first conversation hearts, and in 1906, Hershey’s chocolates made their initial debut. Also in 1906, the Pennsylvania town of Derry Church changed its name to Hershey, in honor of Mr. Hershey.
 The majority of today’s most common candies first appeared at various intervals throughout the 1900s. For instance, Life Savers were first introduced in 1912. The Heath Bar was introduced in 1914. In 1922, H.B. Reese introduced the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, and the Baby Ruth, Mounds Chocolate Bar, and Milky Way Candy Bar followed in 1923. Mr. Goodbar appeared in 1925, and both Snickers and 3 Musketeers were first introduced in the 1930s. M&Ms, Junior Mints, and Smarties first appeared in the 1940s, while the 1950s saw the introduction of Peeps. Sweetarts hit the market in the 1960s, and the 1970s were characterized by the introduction of Reese’s Pieces and Twix caramel cookie candy bars. Skittles first appeared in the 1980s, and the 1990s saw the introduction of DOVE chocolate bars.
As a U.S. candy manufacturer, we gladly comply with the laws and guidelines established by both the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and in so doing, we gladly contribute to the safest food supply in the world. We hope that our American culture means as much to our customers as it does to us!
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