Goldfish (cracker)

{{Infobox brand

| name = Goldfish

| logo = Goldfish crackers logo.png

| logo_size = 200

| image = Goldfish-Crackers.jpg

| caption = Cheddar Goldfish crackers

| type = Crackers

| currentowner = Pepperidge Farm

| producedby =

| origin = Switzerland

| introduced = {{start date and age|1962}}

| related =

| markets = Worldwide, except for Armenia, Iran, North Korea, and Syria{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}

| previousowners = Kambly

| trademarkregistrations =

| ambassadors =

| tagline = "The Snack that Smiles Back"

| website = {{URL|https://www.pepperidgefarm.com/product-categories/goldfish-crackers/}}

}}

Goldfish is a brand of fish-shaped cracker with a small imprint of an eye and a smile manufactured by Pepperidge Farm, which is a division of the Campbell Soup Company.{{cite web |title=6 things you didn't know about "The Snack That Smiles Back" |website=Campbell Soup Company |date=19 February 2021 |url=https://www.campbellsoupcompany.com/newsroom/campbells-history/6-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-snack-that-smiles-back/ |access-date=24 October 2023}} The brand's current marketing and product packaging incorporate this feature of the product: "The Snack That Smiles Back! Goldfish!", reinforced by Finn, the smiling goldfish mascot with sunglasses.{{cite web | last=Myers | first=Dan | title=Things you didn't know about Goldfish crackers is that The Goldfish crackers also contain high amounts of sodium, 250 mg per serving. In both children and adults, high intake of sodium can have dire side effects, including cognitive degeneration, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and heart problems. | website=Fox News | date=May 4, 2015 | url=https://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/things-you-didnt-know-about-goldfish-crackers | access-date=October 6, 2017}} The product is marketed as a "baked snack cracker" on the label with various flavors and varieties.{{cite book | last=Smith | first=A.F. | title=Fast Food and Junk Food: An Encyclopedia of What We Love to Eat | publisher=ABC-CLIO | series=Fast Food and Junk Food: An Encyclopedia of what We Love to Eat | issue=v. 1 | year=2012 | isbn=978-0-313-39393-8 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7-WcKK01H1cC&pg=PA311 | access-date=October 6, 2017 | page=311}}{{cite book | last1=McDonough | first1=J. | last2=Egolf | first2=K. | title=The Advertising Age Encyclopedia of Advertising | publisher=Taylor & Francis | year=2015 | isbn=978-1-135-94913-6 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QpLtCQAAQBAJ&pg=PT2321 | access-date=October 6, 2017 | page=2321}}

History

Oscar J. Kambly originally invented goldfish crackers at Swiss biscuit manufacturer Kambly in 1958{{cite web | author=Borsari, Karen | title=Fun Facts About Goldfish Crackers: Pepperidge Farm Turns 75 | website=Shape | url=http://www.shape.com/blogs/fit-foodies/goldfish-fun-facts-pepperidge-farm-turns-75-today | access-date=October 6, 2017 | archive-date=October 6, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006162304/http://www.shape.com/blogs/fit-foodies/goldfish-fun-facts-pepperidge-farm-turns-75-today | url-status=dead }}{{cite web|title=Goldfish - the Original|url=http://goldfish.ch|access-date=2014-07-21|publisher=Kambly SA}} to celebrate his wife, who was a Pisces, an astrological symbol whose shape is of a fish.{{cite web |last=Sauer |first=Patrick J. |title=How Goldfish crackers took over the world |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90283202/how-goldfish-crackers-took-over-the-world |website=Fast Company |date=19 December 2018 |access-date=24 October 2023}} Pepperidge Farm founder Margaret Rudkin introduced Goldfish crackers to the United States in 1962 after having tried them while on vacation in Switzerland.{{cite web|title=Our History|url=https://www.pepperidgefarm.com/History.aspx|access-date=27 October 2011|publisher=Pepperidge Farm|quote=America gets its first taste of Goldfish crackers in 1962. Margaret Rudkin discovers the snack cracker on a trip to Switzerland and returns with the recipe.|archive-date=2 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111102054405/http://www.pepperidgefarm.com/History.aspx|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2015/05/04/things-didnt-know-about-goldfish-crackers/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150507011545/http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2015/05/04/things-didnt-know-about-goldfish-crackers/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 7, 2015|title=Things you didn't know about Goldfish crackers|author=Dan Myers|work=Fox News|access-date=4 March 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20050110005864/en/Pepperidge-Farm-Goldfish-Character-Brought-Life-Advertising|title=Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Character Brought to Life in New Advertising Campaign; Television Spots Are First Chapter in Brand Update|author=Pepperidge Farm (Media Release)|date=10 January 2005|publisher=Business Wire|access-date=4 March 2016}} The five initial flavors of Goldfish crackers launched in the US were lightly salted (later designated "original"), cheese, barbecue, pizza, and smoky. Cheddar cheese, the brand's most popular flavor, was not introduced until 1966. In 1997, the smiley face was added to Goldfish, appearing on approximately 40% of the crackers.

=2000s=

Pepperidge Farm has expanded the Goldfish brand significantly in recent years, introducing numerous limited-time flavors and varieties beyond the traditional cheddar and pretzel options. These included Mega Bites (more giant Goldfish crackers) in 2022 and limited-edition flavors such as Dunkin' Pumpkin Spice Grahams and Frank's RedHot. Due to its popularity, the Frank's RedHot flavor has since been added to the permanent lineup. The company has also experimented with potato-based Goldfish crisps to achieve a potato chip-like flavor.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

According to Campbell Soup Company, these innovations have contributed to Goldfish's position as the fastest-growing cracker brand in the United States in 2024, with sales increasing by 33% since 2021.{{cite news |last=Doering |first=Christopher |url=https://www.fooddive.com/news/an-inside-look-at-the-innovation-of-campbell-soups-1b-goldfish-crackers-b/710599 |title=An inside look at the innovation of Campbell Soup's $1B Goldfish crackers brand |work=FOODDIVE |publisher=Industry Dive |date=2024-04-29 |accessdate=2024-05-02 }} In October 2024, the company announced that online sales of the product would be branded as "Chilean Sea Bass" for one week to appeal for adults.{{Cite web |last=Valinsky |first=Jordan |date=October 23, 2024 |title=Goldfish is changing its name to 'Chilean Sea Bass.' Here's why |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/10/23/food/campbells-goldfish-name-change/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241023135548/https://edition.cnn.com/2024/10/23/food/campbells-goldfish-name-change/index.html |archive-date=October 23, 2024 |access-date=October 25, 2024 |website=CNN Business |language=en}}{{cite web |last=Bregel |first=Sarah |title=Goldfish gets a sophisticated makeover to woo adult snackers |website=Fast Company |date=October 23, 2024 |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/91215024/goldfish-gets-a-sophisticated-makeover-to-woo-adult-snackers |access-date=November 30, 2024}}

Flavors

Goldfish crackers are available in many varieties, but start/end dates of production are unknown:

Original,{{cite web | title=Goldfish Original Baked Snack Crackers | publisher=Pepperidge Farm | date=January 1, 2017 | url=https://www.pepperidgefarm.com/product/goldfish-original/ | access-date=October 6, 2017}} also known as Saltine.
Cheddar
Whole Grain Cheddar
Parmesan
Pretzel
Pizza
Baby (Cheddar){{cite book | last=Cruise | first=J. | title=The Belly Fat Cure Sugar & Carb Counter | publisher=Hay House | year=2012 | isbn=978-1-4019-4081-2 | url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781401940508 | url-access=registration | access-date=October 6, 2017 | page=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781401940508/page/94 94]}}
Grahams{{cite web | title=5 Things You Didn't Know About Goldfish Crackers | website=The Daily Meal | date=April 24, 2015 | url=https://www.thedailymeal.com/eat/5-things-you-didnt-know-about-goldfish-crackers | access-date=October 6, 2017}} (Vanilla Cupcake and S'mores)
Flavor Blasted (Xtra Cheddar, Cheddar & Sour Cream, Salt and Vinegar, Cheddar Jack'd, Sour Cream & Onion, White Cheddar, Xtra Cheesy Pizza)
Mix
Frank's RedHot
Old Bay Seasoned
Jalapeno Popper{{cite web |title=Jalapeno Popper Crackers |url=https://www.pepperidgefarm.com/product/jalapeno-popper-goldfish/ |website=Pepperidge Farm |access-date=29 September 2021 |archive-date=28 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928142923/https://www.pepperidgefarm.com/product/jalapeno-popper-goldfish/ |url-status=dead }}
Spicy Dill Pickle{{cite web |title=Spicy Dill Pickle Crackers |url=https://www.pepperidgefarm.com/product/spicy-dill-pickle-flavored-crackers/ |website=Pepperidge Farm |access-date=21 June 2025}}{{div col end}}

=Different shapes and colors=

These different-shaped Goldfish are all cheddar flavored. There are also different Goldfish mixtures, which are two flavors combined.

Colors (same shape as original but different colors using natural colors, Colors: Yellow, orange, red, and green)
Princess (colored pink)
Mickey Mouse (red crackers in the shape of Mickey's head)
Mega Bites (bigger than the original)
Star Wars

=Discontinued products=

PhysEdibles – prepared using whole-grains{{cite book | title=Brandweek | publisher=Adweek L.P. | issue=v. 47 | year=2006 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_ZhaAAAAYAAJ | access-date=October 6, 2017 | page=5}}
Puffs – launched in the United States in 2013 {{cite book | last=Hunn | first=N. | title=Gluten-Free Classic Snacks: 100 Recipes for the Brand-Name Treats You Love | publisher=Da Capo Press | series=EBL-Schweitzer | year=2015 | isbn=978-0-7382-1782-6 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uwOCBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA179 | access-date=October 6, 2017 | page=179}}"Pepperidge Farm’s Goldfish Puffs launched in US." Progressive Media : 2. LexisNexus - Archives. Web. 12 Feb. 2015.
Giant Sandwich Crackers
Giant Goldfish {{cite book | last1=Natow | first1=A.B. | last2=Heslin | first2=J.A. | title=The Ultimate Carbohydrate Counter | publisher=Simon & Schuster | series=Ultimate Carbohydrate Counter | year=2004 | isbn=978-0-7434-6439-0 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=S8NGwgnBrigC&pg=PA210 | access-date=October 6, 2017 | pages=210–211}}
Sandwich Snackers
Garden Cheddar
Mac & Cheese
Cars 3 (red crackers in the shape of Lightning McQueen)
Flavor Blasted Grahams
Cinabuddy Snack Bites
Cookies and Cream

International distribution

File:Goldfish crackers.jpg

Goldfish are exported and sold in countries around the world. In the UK, they are sold under the name "Finz",{{cite web|title=Pepperidge Farms - International|url=https://www.pepperidgefarm.com/PFInternational.aspx#UK|access-date=3 June 2013|archive-date=20 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130620164047/http://www.pepperidgefarm.com/PFInternational.aspx#UK|url-status=dead}} but the product is identical. In Switzerland, the original Goldfish flavor is marketed under the brand name Goldfischli.

Goldfish was also sold under Arnott's branding in Australia.

Spin-offs

Pepperidge Farm has created several spin-off products, including Goldfish Sandwich Crackers, Flavor-Blasted Goldfish,{{cite book | last=Netzer | first=C.T. | title=The Complete Book of Food Counts, 9th Edition: The Book That Counts It All | publisher=Random House Publishing Group | year=2011 | isbn=978-0-345-53247-3 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EqmKVl45OXUC&pg=PA276 | access-date=October 6, 2017 | page=276}} Goldfish bread, multi-colored Goldfish (known as Goldfish-American), and Baby Goldfish (which are smaller than normal). There are also seasonably available color-changing Goldfish and colored Goldfish (come in a variety pack). There was once a line of Goldfish cookies in vanilla and chocolate; chocolate has reappeared in the "100 calorie" packs.

Legal issues

In 1999, Campbell Soup Co.'s Pepperidge Farm won a court case involving Nabisco's Cheese Nips CatDog crackers that had fish-shaped crackers that resembled Goldfish. The court ordered Nabisco to refrain from using the goldfish shape and to recall all their products that included the fish shape.Bloomberg, News. "Pepperidge Farm wins appeal in cracker dispute; Federal judge rules that Nabisco cannot sell goldfish-shaped snacks." Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 01 Sept. 1999: 2. NewsBank — Archives. Web. 12 Feb. 2015.{{cite court|litigants=Nabisco, Inc. v. PF Brands, Inc.|vol=191|reporter= F.3d|opinion= 208|court=2d Cir.|year=1999|url=https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=7762026987922971443}}, aff'g {{cite court|vol=50|reporter= F.Supp.2d|opinion= 188|court=S.D.N.Y.|year=1999|url=https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=4836178258474147129}}

Recalls

On July 23, 2018, Pepperidge Farm was notified by one of its ingredient suppliers that whey powder (in a seasoning applied to four varieties of Goldfish crackers) may have the presence of salmonella. The Flavored Blasted Xtra Cheddar crackers were recalled due to a possible risk of the salmonella outbreak. Three other Goldfish varieties (Flavored Blast Sour Slammin' Cream and Onion, Whole Grain Xtra Cheddar, and Goldfish Mix Xtra Cheddar and Pretzel) were also recalled due to contamination of the salmonella bacterium caused by the same affected whey powder used in The Flavored Blasted Xtra Cheddar GoldFish crackers. The contaminated varieties of Goldfish were immediately removed from all stores where they were sold following the recall.{{Cite press release|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180723005778/en/|title=Pepperidge Farm® Announces Voluntary Recall of Four Varieties of Goldfish® Crackers|date=23 July 2018}}

In popular culture

Julia Child liked Goldfish crackers so much that on Thanksgiving, she often put out a bowl alongside her famous reverse martini.{{Cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/life/food-drink/thanksgiving-julia-childs-way/|title=Thanksgiving, Julia Child's way|date=2015-11-19|website=The Seattle Times|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-15}}

In Season 1, Episode 9 of The West Wing, character Danny Concannon gives C. J. Cregg a pet goldfish after misunderstanding a comment about C.J.'s affinity for the crackers.