Hello, I'm an expert in the field of confectionery history. Let's dive into the origins of the Starburst sweets.

The original name of Starburst sweets was Opal Fruits. These chewy, fruit-flavored candies were first produced in the United Kingdom by the Francis Doumar Corporation and marketed under the Opal name starting in the 1960s. The name was chosen because the candies were originally wrapped in a shiny, opalescent cellophane. In 1998, the brand underwent a significant change when it was rebranded as Starburst in the UK and many other markets to avoid any negative connotations associated with the word "fruits" in certain contexts.

read more >>

The Starburst brand was introduced in England in 1959. They were first known as Opal Fruits, the name coming from the result of a competition. The four original flavors were strawberry, lemon, orange, and lime. In 1967 Opal Fruits were brought to the United States and the name was changed to Starburst.read more >>