Rowntree's Fruit Gums are one of the oldest branded sweets still recognised in Britain, and searches for them usually come from people trying to track down the specific firm, less-sweet gum texture rather than the softer, sugar-dusted Fruit Pastilles most shops stock instead.
A genuinely old British brand
Rowntree's, the York confectioner, is widely reported to have launched Fruit Gums in 1893, following the earlier success of its Fruit Pastilles. The gums were positioned as a firmer, less sugary alternative — a clear, chewy gum rather than the soft, sugar-coated pastille — and the brand built its reputation over more than a century on that basic distinction between the two ranges.
Why Fruit Gums and Fruit Pastilles get confused
Both come from the same Rowntree's fruit-gum family, both share similar flavours and branding, and both have gone through various reformulations and packaging changes over the decades — including removing gelatine from much of the core Rowntree's range in 2020 — which is a big part of why people search to clarify exactly what separates one from the other.
What we actually stock right now
We don't currently stock the specific Fruit Gums line. What we do carry from the same Rowntree's range includes Rowntree's Fruit Pastilles Sweets Sharing Bag 114g, genuinely in stock, and Rowntree's Randoms Sweets Sharing Bag 120g and Rowntree's Jelly Tots Sweets Sharing Bag 120g, both also in stock. Note the Fruit Pastilles Tube 48g is currently out of stock, so the sharing bag is the one to go for right now.
FAQ
Do you stock Rowntree's Fruit Gums?
Not the specific Fruit Gums line, no. We carry Rowntree's Fruit Pastilles, Randoms and Jelly Tots instead, all from the same brand.
What's the actual difference between Fruit Gums and Fruit Pastilles?
Fruit Gums are a firmer, clear gum sweet; Fruit Pastilles are softer and dusted with sugar. Both are Rowntree's products with a long shared history.
Are Rowntree's sweets suitable for vegans?
Rowntree's reformulated much of its core range to remove gelatine in 2020, with packs marked "vegan friendly" confirming this — worth checking the individual pack rather than assuming by brand alone.
Is the Rowntree's Fruit Pastilles Sharing Bag in stock?
Yes, the 114g Sharing Bag is currently in stock. The 48g Tube is not.