If you've ever eaten a foam banana from a pick 'n mix counter, there's a decent chance it came from a Dutch company most shoppers have never heard of by name.
Starting out with a bear called Boink
Look-O-Look was founded in the Netherlands in 1969, building its reputation on brightly coloured bags of mixed sweets fronted by a mascot called Boink the Bear, who appeared on the brand's packaging for years before being replaced by the simpler smiling-eyes logo the brand uses today.
Foam, fruit gums and novelty shapes
The company built its range around soft foam sweets - bananas, mushrooms and other novelty shapes - alongside fruit gums, liquorice and jelly sweets, later expanding into elaborate novelty items like candy pizza and candy sushi aimed at younger shoppers.
Becoming part of a global confectionery giant
Look-O-Look was acquired by the Dutch confectionery group Van Melle in 1989. Van Melle itself merged with the Italian company Perfetti in 2001 to form Perfetti Van Melle, one of the largest confectionery groups in the world - the same group that today owns Chupa Chups, Mentos and Airheads. Look-O-Look has continued operating as one of its Dutch-focused brands.
Frequently asked questions
When was Look-O-Look founded?
Look-O-Look was founded in the Netherlands in 1969, initially built around mixed bags of sweets sold under its Boink the Bear mascot.
Who owns Look-O-Look now?
Look-O-Look was acquired by Dutch confectionery group Van Melle in 1989. Van Melle later merged with the Italian company Perfetti in 2001, forming Perfetti Van Melle, which still owns the brand today.
What is Look-O-Look best known for?
Look-O-Look is best known for its soft foam sweets, including foam bananas and mushrooms, along with fruit gums and novelty-shaped candy such as candy pizza and candy sushi.