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{{Short description|American sour candy brand}} |
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{{Infobox brand |
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| name = Warheads |
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| producttype = Sour candy |
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| currentowner = [[Impact Confections]] (2004–present) |
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| country = Taiwan |
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| introduced = {{start date and age|1975|}} |
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| discontinued = |
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| related = |
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| previousowners = The Foreign Candy Company (1975–2004) |
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| website = {{url|https://www.impactconfections.com/warheads/}} |
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| logo = Warheads Candy Logo.jpeg |
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| logo_size = 280 |
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}} |
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⚫ | '''Warheads''' (formerly '''Mega Warheads''' {{Citation needed|date=January 2023}}) is a brand of [[Taste#Sourness|sour]] or tart [[candy]] manufactured by [[Impact Confections]], located in [[Janesville, Wisconsin|Janesville]], [[Wisconsin]]. They are marketed as an 'extreme' candy with an intense sour flavor. They have proven to be very popular, especially with young children; in 1999, Warheads were referred to as a "$40 million brand" ([[United States dollar|USD]]).<ref name="Wired Warheads">{{cite news |last1=Frauenfelder |first1=Mark |title=Gross National Product |url=https://www.wired.com/1999/06/candy/ |access-date=21 January 2022 |work=Wired |date=1 June 1999 |archive-date=23 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023225705/https://www.wired.com/1999/06/candy/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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The candy was invented in [[Taiwan]] in 1975 and was first imported to the United States in 1993 by The Foreign Candy Company of [[Hull, Iowa]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ncppub.com/pages/?p=4522 | title=Let It Rip: A New Building for Foreign Candy | publisher=New Century Press | work=Sioux County Index-Reporter | date=29 February 2012 | access-date=29 December 2013}}</ref><ref name="Wired Warheads" /> Impact Confections acquired the brand in 2004.<ref name="Candyindustry">{{cite web |url=http://www.candyindustry.com/articles/85929-impact-confections-making-a-sweet-n-sour-impact?v=preview |title=Impact Confections: Making a sweet n' sour Impact |newspaper=Candyindustry.com |date= November 14, 2013 |author= Bernie Pacyniak |access-date= January 18, 2015}}</ref> They are currently manufactured and distributed in the United States by Impact Confections and in [[Australia]] by Universal Candy.<ref name="Funtastic">{{cite web |url=http://www.funtastic.com.au/index.php?sectionID=11063&pageID=11089 |title=Universal Candy- Our Brands |website=Funtastic.com |date=2015 |access-date=April 11, 2015}}</ref> |
The candy was invented in [[Taiwan]] in 1975 and was first imported to the United States in 1993 by The Foreign Candy Company of [[Hull, Iowa]].<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709231734/https://www.ncppub.com/pages/?p=4522 |archive-date=July 9, 2017 | url=http://www.ncppub.com/pages/?p=4522 | title=Let It Rip: A New Building for Foreign Candy Warheads | publisher=New Century Press | work=Sioux County Index-Reporter | date=29 February 2012 | access-date=29 December 2013}}</ref><ref name="Wired Warheads" /> Impact Confections acquired the brand in 2004.<ref name="Candyindustry">{{cite web |url=http://www.candyindustry.com/articles/85929-impact-confections-making-a-sweet-n-sour-impact?v=preview |title=Impact Confections: Making a sweet n' sour Impact |newspaper=Candyindustry.com |date= November 14, 2013 |author= Bernie Pacyniak |access-date= January 18, 2015}}</ref> They are currently manufactured and distributed in the United States by Impact Confections and in [[Australia]] by Universal Candy.<ref name="Funtastic">{{cite web |url=http://www.funtastic.com.au/index.php?sectionID=11063&pageID=11089 |title=Universal Candy- Our Brands |website=Funtastic.com |date=2015 |access-date=April 11, 2015 |archive-date=March 15, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315192339/http://funtastic.com.au/index.php?sectionID=11063&pageID=11089 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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==In culture== |
==In culture== |
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The name "Warheads" comes from the notion that the sour taste of the candies is akin to a real [[warhead]] going off in one's mouth, and the brand's [[mascot]], Wally Warhead, is depicted as a boy with puckered lips and a small [[mushroom cloud]] emanating from the top of his head. Their 'extreme' sour flavor can produce visibly strong reactions from people experiencing them for the first time. |
The name "Warheads" comes from the notion that the sour taste of the candies is akin to a real [[warhead]] going off in one's mouth, and the brand's [[mascot]], Wally Warhead, is depicted as a boy with puckered lips and a small [[mushroom cloud]] emanating from the top of his head. Their 'extreme' sour flavor can produce visibly strong reactions from people experiencing them for the first time. [[Citric acid]] is responsible for the candy's sour taste, which is prolonged by [[malic acid]] coated in hydrogenated [[palm oil]].<ref name="MyUser_People.com_January_18_2015c">{{cite web |url=https://people.com/celebrity/south-korean-children-taste-warheads-candy-for-the-first-time/ |title=South Korean Children Taste Warheads Candy for the First Time |newspaper=People.com |date=August 20, 2014 |access-date=January 18, 2015 |archive-date=January 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117012027/http://people.com/celebrity/south-korean-children-taste-warheads-candy-for-the-first-time/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Myers |first1=Blanca |title=What's Behind the Burn of Warheads Extreme Sour Hard Candy |url=https://www.wired.com/2016/10/whats-inside-warheads-candy/ |access-date=21 January 2022 |work=Wired |date=31 October 2016 |archive-date=27 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127064014/https://www.wired.com/2016/10/whats-inside-warheads-candy/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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A driving force behind the candy's early popularity were informal competitions among |
A driving force behind the candy's early popularity were informal competitions among school-children to determine who could withstand eating the largest number of Warheads at once.<ref>Buckley, J. Taylor. Warheads candy sets taste, sales explosion, ''[[USA Today]]'', June 11, 1997. pg. 03.B</ref> |
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Warheads Extreme Hard Candy has become a popular candy for challenges and contests. Some people see how many candies they can eat at once, while others try to keep the candy in their mouth for as long as possible.<ref> Nathan, Kendall (25 February 2023). Brace Yourself for the Extreme: A Review of Warheads Sour Candy and its Intense Flavour Experience</ref> |
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==Chemistry== |
==Chemistry== |
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Warheads Extreme Sour Hard Candy derive their strong sour flavor primarily from [[malic acid]], which is applied as a coating to the outside of the small, hard candies. The intense sour flavor fades after about 5 to 10 seconds, leaving a fairly mild candy that contains the much less sour and more flavorful [[vitamin c|ascorbic]] and [[citric acid]]s.<ref name="MyUser_Chron.com_January_18_2015c">{{cite web |url=http://www.chron.com/life/healthzone/article/The-science-behind-how-Warheads-are-so-sour-4901092.php |title=The science behind how Warheads are so sour |newspaper= Houston Chronicle |date= October 16, 2013 |author= Carrie Taylor |access-date= January 18, 2015}}</ref> |
Warheads Extreme Sour Hard Candy derive their strong sour flavor primarily from [[malic acid]], which is applied as a coating to the outside of the small, hard candies. The intense sour flavor fades after about 5 to 10 seconds, leaving a fairly mild candy that contains the much less sour and more flavorful [[vitamin c|ascorbic]] and [[citric acid]]s.<ref name="MyUser_Chron.com_January_18_2015c">{{cite web |url= http://www.chron.com/life/healthzone/article/The-science-behind-how-Warheads-are-so-sour-4901092.php |title= The science behind how Warheads are so sour |newspaper= Houston Chronicle |date= October 16, 2013 |author= Carrie Taylor |access-date= January 18, 2015 |archive-date= January 19, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150119030657/http://www.chron.com/life/healthzone/article/The-science-behind-how-Warheads-are-so-sour-4901092.php |url-status= live }}</ref> |
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The [[pH]] levels of some Warheads products are lower when compared to other sour candies. Warheads Sour Spray was shown to have a pH level of 1.6 (similar to some rust removers). |
The [[pH]] levels of some Warheads products are lower when compared to other sour candies. Warheads Sour Spray was shown to have a pH level of 1.6 (similar to some rust removers). |
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Candies with high acidity (low pH) can accelerate the erosion of [[tooth enamel]].<ref>{{cite journal|first1 = R. Loewen|last1 = Robyn|first2 = J. Marolt|last2 = Robert|first3 = D. Ruby|last3 = John|title = Pucker up: the effects of sour candy on your patients' oral health. A review of the dental erosion literature and pH values for popular candies|journal = Northwest Dentistry|date = Mar–Apr 2008|issn = 0029-2915|pages = 20–21, 24–25, 28–29 passim|volume = 87|issue = 2|pmid=18491469}}</ref><ref name="MyUser_Gizmodo.com_January_18_2015c">{{cite web |url=https://gizmodo.com/5860593/sour-candy-is-almost-as-bad-for-your-teeth-as-battery-acid |title=Sour Candy Is Almost As Bad for Your Teeth As Battery Acid |newspaper=Gizmodo.com |access-date= |
Candies with high acidity (low pH) can accelerate the erosion of [[tooth enamel]].<ref>{{cite journal|first1 = R. Loewen|last1 = Robyn|first2 = J. Marolt|last2 = Robert|first3 = D. Ruby|last3 = John|title = Pucker up: the effects of sour candy on your patients' oral health. A review of the dental erosion literature and pH values for popular candies|journal = Northwest Dentistry|date = Mar–Apr 2008|issn = 0029-2915|pages = 20–21, 24–25, 28–29 passim|volume = 87|issue = 2|pmid=18491469}}</ref><ref name="MyUser_Gizmodo.com_January_18_2015c">{{cite web |url=https://gizmodo.com/5860593/sour-candy-is-almost-as-bad-for-your-teeth-as-battery-acid |title=Sour Candy Is Almost As Bad for Your Teeth As Battery Acid |newspaper=Gizmodo.com |access-date=January 18, 2015 |archive-date=January 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119033539/http://gizmodo.com/5860593/sour-candy-is-almost-as-bad-for-your-teeth-as-battery-acid |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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Warheads packaging includes this warning: "Eating multiple pieces within a short time period may cause a temporary irritation to sensitive tongues and mouths".<ref name="TongueHole">{{cite web |url=https://www.wdbo.com/news/news/local/warheads-candy-burns-hole-childs-tongue/nkKk8/ |title=Warheads candy allegedly burns hole into child's tongue |website=News965.com |date=February 27, 2015 |author=Laurel Lee |access-date=April 11, 2015}}</ref> |
Warheads packaging includes this warning: "Eating multiple pieces within a short time period may cause a temporary irritation to sensitive tongues and mouths".<ref name="TongueHole">{{cite web |url=https://www.wdbo.com/news/news/local/warheads-candy-burns-hole-childs-tongue/nkKk8/ |title=Warheads candy allegedly burns hole into child's tongue |website=News965.com |date=February 27, 2015 |author=Laurel Lee |access-date=April 11, 2015 |archive-date=June 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607120734/https://www.wdbo.com/news/news/local/warheads-candy-burns-hole-childs-tongue/nkKk8/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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== Varieties and flavors == |
== Varieties and flavors == |
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Warheads Extreme Sour Hard Candies are available in five flavors: blue |
Warheads Extreme Sour Hard Candies are available in five flavors: blue-raspberry, lemon, green-apple, black-cherry, and watermelon.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Warheads Flavors|website=Sugar Stand}}</ref> Five additional hard candy flavors are sold in the "Smashups Extreme Sour" assortment: cherry-lime, orange-pineapple, mango-melon, lemon-berry, and strawberry-grape.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Candy|first1=WARHEADS Sour|title=WARHEADS|url=https://warheads.com/candy/smashups/|website=WARHEADS Sour Candy|access-date=13 May 2018|archive-date=14 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180514064957/https://warheads.com/candy/smashups/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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In addition to the Warheads Extreme Sour Hard Candy, the Warheads brand encompasses several other types of candy including gummy, licorice, and liquid formats (among others) which range in their sour intensity: Warheads Extreme Sour Hard Candy Minis (previously known as "Juniors"), Warheads Super Sour Spray, Warheads Sour Jelly Beans, Warheads Super Sour Double Drops, Warheads Sour Cubes, Warheads Lil' Worms, Warheads Ooze Chewz, Warheads Sour Booms, and Warheads Sour Twists. In the early 90s, "hot" versions of the hard candy were also available, but proved to be less popular. In early 2017, Warheads introduced the sub brand "Hotheads" which featured a line of spicy gummy worms (Extreme Heat Worms) and filled licorice bites (Scorching Heat Twists). <ref>https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170523005017/en/WARHEADS%C2%AE-Brings-the-Heat-with-New-HOTHEADS%E2%84%A2-Extreme-Heat-Worms</ref> The Warheads brand also distributed a fizzy version of their signature Warheads for a time.<ref>{{cite news|title=When the makers of WarHeads candy went berserk and created...|url=http:// |
In addition to the Warheads Extreme Sour Hard Candy, the Warheads brand encompasses several other types of candy including gummy, licorice, and liquid formats (among others) which range in their sour intensity: Warheads Extreme Sour Hard Candy Minis (previously known as "Juniors"), Warheads popping candy, Warheads Super Sour Spray, Warheads Sour Jelly Beans, Warheads Super Sour Double Drops, Warheads Sour Cubes, Warheads Lil' Worms, Warheads Ooze Chewz, Warheads Sour Booms, and Warheads Sour Twists. In the early 90s, "hot" versions of the hard candy were also available, but proved to be less popular.{{Citation needed|date=June 2022}} In early 2017, Warheads introduced the sub brand "Hotheads" which featured a line of spicy gummy worms (Extreme Heat Worms) and filled licorice bites (Scorching Heat Twists) that were discontinued a few years later. <ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170523005017/en/WARHEADS%C2%AE-Brings-the-Heat-with-New-HOTHEADS%E2%84%A2-Extreme-Heat-Worms|title = WARHEADS® Brings the Heat with New HOTHEADS™ Extreme Heat Worms|date = 23 May 2017|access-date = 21 October 2021|archive-date = 21 October 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211021150921/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170523005017/en/WARHEADS%C2%AE-Brings-the-Heat-with-New-HOTHEADS%E2%84%A2-Extreme-Heat-Worms|url-status = live}}</ref> The Warheads brand also distributed a fizzy version of their signature Warheads for a time.<ref>{{cite news|title=When the makers of WarHeads candy went berserk and created...|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1999-07-27-9907270332-story.html|access-date=7 July 2022|work=Chicago Tribune|date=27 July 1999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181008135319/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1999-07-27-9907270332-story.html|archive-date= 8 October 2018}}</ref> |
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== References == |
== References == |
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[[Category:Candy]] |
[[Category:Candy]] |
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[[Category:Taiwanese inventions]] |
[[Category:Taiwanese inventions]] |
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[[Category:1993 establishments in the United States]] |
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[[Category:1975 establishments in Taiwan]] |
Latest revision as of 05:47, 21 November 2024
Product type | Sour candy |
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Owner | Impact Confections (2004–present) |
Country | Taiwan |
Introduced | 1975 |
Previous owners | The Foreign Candy Company (1975–2004) |
Website | www |
Warheads (formerly Mega Warheads [citation needed]) is a brand of sour or tart candy manufactured by Impact Confections, located in Janesville, Wisconsin. They are marketed as an 'extreme' candy with an intense sour flavor. They have proven to be very popular, especially with young children; in 1999, Warheads were referred to as a "$40 million brand" (USD).[1]
The candy was invented in Taiwan in 1975 and was first imported to the United States in 1993 by The Foreign Candy Company of Hull, Iowa.[2][1] Impact Confections acquired the brand in 2004.[3] They are currently manufactured and distributed in the United States by Impact Confections and in Australia by Universal Candy.[4]
In culture
[edit]The name "Warheads" comes from the notion that the sour taste of the candies is akin to a real warhead going off in one's mouth, and the brand's mascot, Wally Warhead, is depicted as a boy with puckered lips and a small mushroom cloud emanating from the top of his head. Their 'extreme' sour flavor can produce visibly strong reactions from people experiencing them for the first time. Citric acid is responsible for the candy's sour taste, which is prolonged by malic acid coated in hydrogenated palm oil.[5][6]
A driving force behind the candy's early popularity were informal competitions among school-children to determine who could withstand eating the largest number of Warheads at once.[7]
Warheads Extreme Hard Candy has become a popular candy for challenges and contests. Some people see how many candies they can eat at once, while others try to keep the candy in their mouth for as long as possible.[8]
Chemistry
[edit]Warheads Extreme Sour Hard Candy derive their strong sour flavor primarily from malic acid, which is applied as a coating to the outside of the small, hard candies. The intense sour flavor fades after about 5 to 10 seconds, leaving a fairly mild candy that contains the much less sour and more flavorful ascorbic and citric acids.[9]
The pH levels of some Warheads products are lower when compared to other sour candies. Warheads Sour Spray was shown to have a pH level of 1.6 (similar to some rust removers). Candies with high acidity (low pH) can accelerate the erosion of tooth enamel.[10][11]
Warheads packaging includes this warning: "Eating multiple pieces within a short time period may cause a temporary irritation to sensitive tongues and mouths".[12]
Varieties and flavors
[edit]Warheads Extreme Sour Hard Candies are available in five flavors: blue-raspberry, lemon, green-apple, black-cherry, and watermelon.[13] Five additional hard candy flavors are sold in the "Smashups Extreme Sour" assortment: cherry-lime, orange-pineapple, mango-melon, lemon-berry, and strawberry-grape.[14]
In addition to the Warheads Extreme Sour Hard Candy, the Warheads brand encompasses several other types of candy including gummy, licorice, and liquid formats (among others) which range in their sour intensity: Warheads Extreme Sour Hard Candy Minis (previously known as "Juniors"), Warheads popping candy, Warheads Super Sour Spray, Warheads Sour Jelly Beans, Warheads Super Sour Double Drops, Warheads Sour Cubes, Warheads Lil' Worms, Warheads Ooze Chewz, Warheads Sour Booms, and Warheads Sour Twists. In the early 90s, "hot" versions of the hard candy were also available, but proved to be less popular.[citation needed] In early 2017, Warheads introduced the sub brand "Hotheads" which featured a line of spicy gummy worms (Extreme Heat Worms) and filled licorice bites (Scorching Heat Twists) that were discontinued a few years later. [15] The Warheads brand also distributed a fizzy version of their signature Warheads for a time.[16]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Frauenfelder, Mark (1 June 1999). "Gross National Product". Wired. Archived from the original on 23 October 2021. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
- ^ "Let It Rip: A New Building for Foreign Candy Warheads". Sioux County Index-Reporter. New Century Press. 29 February 2012. Archived from the original on July 9, 2017. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
- ^ Bernie Pacyniak (November 14, 2013). "Impact Confections: Making a sweet n' sour Impact". Candyindustry.com. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
- ^ "Universal Candy- Our Brands". Funtastic.com. 2015. Archived from the original on March 15, 2015. Retrieved April 11, 2015.
- ^ "South Korean Children Taste Warheads Candy for the First Time". People.com. August 20, 2014. Archived from the original on January 17, 2018. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
- ^ Myers, Blanca (31 October 2016). "What's Behind the Burn of Warheads Extreme Sour Hard Candy". Wired. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
- ^ Buckley, J. Taylor. Warheads candy sets taste, sales explosion, USA Today, June 11, 1997. pg. 03.B
- ^ Nathan, Kendall (25 February 2023). Brace Yourself for the Extreme: A Review of Warheads Sour Candy and its Intense Flavour Experience
- ^ Carrie Taylor (October 16, 2013). "The science behind how Warheads are so sour". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on January 19, 2015. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
- ^ Robyn, R. Loewen; Robert, J. Marolt; John, D. Ruby (Mar–Apr 2008). "Pucker up: the effects of sour candy on your patients' oral health. A review of the dental erosion literature and pH values for popular candies". Northwest Dentistry. 87 (2): 20–21, 24–25, 28–29 passim. ISSN 0029-2915. PMID 18491469.
- ^ "Sour Candy Is Almost As Bad for Your Teeth As Battery Acid". Gizmodo.com. Archived from the original on January 19, 2015. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
- ^ Laurel Lee (February 27, 2015). "Warheads candy allegedly burns hole into child's tongue". News965.com. Archived from the original on June 7, 2021. Retrieved April 11, 2015.
- ^ "Warheads Flavors". Sugar Stand.
- ^ Candy, WARHEADS Sour. "WARHEADS". WARHEADS Sour Candy. Archived from the original on 14 May 2018. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
- ^ "WARHEADS® Brings the Heat with New HOTHEADS™ Extreme Heat Worms". 23 May 2017. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
- ^ "When the makers of WarHeads candy went berserk and created..." Chicago Tribune. 27 July 1999. Archived from the original on 8 October 2018. Retrieved 7 July 2022.