Ritz Crackers

Today I want to talk to you about Ritz Crackers, a topic that has sparked great interest in recent years. Ritz Crackers is an idea that has been gaining importance in today's society, generating debates and reflections in different areas. Since its emergence, Ritz Crackers has captured the attention of experts and ordinary people, generating endless opinions and positions on the matter. Throughout this article, we will explore different perspectives on Ritz Crackers, analyzing its impact on various aspects of our daily lives. Without a doubt, Ritz Crackers is a concept that leaves no one indifferent, and it is important to understand its implications in order to participate in the discussions that revolve around it.

Ritz
Product typeCrackers
OwnerMondelez International
CountryUnited States
Introduced1934 (1934)
MarketsWorldwide
Websitewww.ritzcrackers.com

Ritz Crackers is a brand of snack cracker introduced by Nabisco in 1934. The original style crackers are disc-shaped, lightly salted, and approximately 46 millimetres (1.8 in) in diameter.[citation needed] Each cracker has seven perforations and a finely scalloped edge. Today, the Ritz cracker brand is owned by Mondelēz International.[1]

A single serving of the original cracker (about 5 crackers or 15 grams) provides 330 kilojoules (79 kilocalories) of food energy, 1 gram of protein, and 4 grams of fat; the whole wheat variety provides 290 kJ (70 kcal) and 2.5 grams of fat.

History

In the early 1900s, the Jackson Cracker company of Jackson, Michigan, developed a small, round cracker called the Jaxon. The company was bought by Nabisco in 1919. Nabisco introduced the Ritz Cracker in 1934.[2] Looking to compete with the similar Hi Ho cracker made by their competitor Sunshine Biscuits, they tasked an employee, Sydney Stern, to create a name and a marketing plan. Stern chose the name 'Ritz', which appealed to individuals enduring the privations of the Great Depression by offering them "a bite of the good life". He also designed the blue circle/yellow lettering logo design, inspired by the round label inside his hat.[3]

Beyond the branding, the design of the crackers themselves plays a functional role. The seven holes punched into each cracker aren't just for aesthetics; they allow steam to escape during baking, preventing air pockets and ensuring a uniform and consistent texture, without becoming overly crispy or flaky. [4]

In 2011, Ritz was identified in a YouGov poll as the "best perceived snack brand" among American consumers.[5]

A cartoon drawing of a box of Ritz Crackers can be seen in Mickey's Surprise Party (1939), an animated theatrical advertisement/cartoon short produced by Walt Disney Productions for Nabisco.[6]

Europe

Ritz Crackers varieties include Original, Peanut Butter, Roasted Vegetable, Honey Wheat, Garlic Butter, Bacon, Reduced Fat, Hint of Salt, Whole Wheat, Everything and Ritz Fresh Stacks.[7]

A 42-gram "fresh stack" sleeve typically consists of 13 crackers, and contains 220 calories. A standard 126-gram sleeve consists of 32 crackers, and contains 512 calories.[8]

International

Ritz Crackers are available in the United Kingdom and Ireland in three varieties: Original and Cheese flavour, which were sold in 200 g boxes, and Ritz Cheese Sandwich (a cheese spread sandwiched between two Ritz Crackers), available in 125 g roll packs and 33 g snack packs. They are available as mini-crackers in 25g multi-packs.

Controversy

In May 2024, 200 g boxes were replaced with 150 g boxes but the price remained the same. A BBC report cited this as an example of Shrinkflation.[9]

See also

References

  1. ^ "RITZ Crackers Homepage". Archived from the original on May 14, 2019. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
  2. ^ Cross, Mary (2002). A Century of American Icons: 100 Products and Slogans from the 20th-Century Consumer Culture. Greenwood Press. pp. 88–89. ISBN 978-0313314810. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  3. ^ Alioto, Daisy (August 10, 2016) How the Ritz Cracker Got Its Name Food & Wine Magazine. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  4. ^ "The Mystery of Ritz Crackers - HomeDiningKitchen". homediningkitchen.com. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  5. ^ Willett, Megan (September 24, 2012) The Most Popular Snack Food In America. Business Insider. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  6. ^ "Mickey's Surprise Party (Still 6 of 6)". Walt Disney Company. Archived from the original on June 20, 2010.
  7. ^ Ritz Products, from the official site
  8. ^ Product Details
  9. ^ "Fewer crackers in Ritz boxes but price remains same". May 17, 2024. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ritz crackers.