mikes

It's a big year for Just Born Quality Confections.

Two of its bestselling brands, Mike and Ike and Hot Tamales, are celebrating momentous milestones in 2015. Mike and Ike has enjoyed 75 years of fruit-flavored fun, while Hot Tamales continues a 65-year run of firing up fans with cinnamon-flavored heat.

 "We are proud to celebrate the anniversaries of Mike and Ike and Hot Tamales, which underscore our rich candy heritage and ongoing commitment to providing great tasting treats for consumers," says Brian Bachrach, marketing director for both brands. "We're excited that the enthusiasm for these brands continues to grow, and that new generations of fans experience the great flavors and unique experiences that only Mike and Ike and Hot Tamales can deliver."

Products from the two brands will appear on shelves in vintage packaging in a throwback tribute to when each brand was created. They will also celebrate this year with new products, partnerships and other announcements.

Mike and Ike was founded in 1940, originally featuring four classic flavors: cherry, orange, lemon and lime. Since its creation, the brand has produced almost 40 varieties of chewy fruit candy, including the popular collections Original Fruits, Tropical Typhoon, Berry Blast and Zours.

Mike and Ike has also been a supporter of Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer since 2008, donating a portion of sales of its limited edition Lemonade Blends collection to charity.

Meanwhile, Hot Tamales was created in 1950 to meet the demands of customers with spicier taste palates. It continues to be the top cinnamon candy brand in the United States, offering flavor collections such as 3 Alarm — to signal three varying degrees of heat — and Tropical Heat, a spicy tropical fruit-flavored mix.