Are Swedish Fish Actually Swedish? The Real Story
Swedish Fish were invented by a Swedish company for the American market in the 1950s, but the candy most people buy today is American-made and owned by Mondelez. Here is the real story, and what Swedes actually eat instead.
Not really. Swedish Fish were created by the Swedish candy company Malaco in the late 1950s and exported to North America, where they became a hit. The brand most people buy today is owned by the American company Mondelez and made in North America, so while the idea came from Sweden, the candy itself is an American classic, not something Swedes grow up eating.
Where Swedish Fish came from
Swedish Fish trace back to the Swedish confectioner Malaco, which began making chewy, fish-shaped wine gums in the late 1950s and exporting them to North America. The fish shape was a nod to Sweden's love of fish-shaped sweets, and the chewy, slightly waxy texture was unlike anything on American shelves at the time.
Who makes Swedish Fish today
Today the Swedish Fish brand is owned by Mondelez International (the American company behind Oreo and Cadbury), and the candy is produced in North America. So the brand traveled a long way from its Malaco roots: a Swedish invention, now an American-owned, American-made sweet.
Do Swedes actually eat Swedish Fish?
Not really. If you want to know what Swedes really reach for, it is not Swedish Fish. It is loose pick-and-mix candy sold by weight, salty licorice, and chocolate bars you will not find in a US supermarket.
Curious about the candy itself? We answer the common label questions in our guides on whether Swedish Fish are gluten free, whether they are vegan, and what flavor they actually are.
What real Swedish candy tastes like
Real Swedish candy (godis) is a whole world: chewy raspberry-and-licorice foams, intensely sour skulls, salmiak that makes first-timers wince, and milk-chocolate bars. The modern brand most newcomers start with is BUBS, the Huskvarna maker famous for its skull-shaped sours, which happen to be fully vegan.
You can build your own Swedish pick-and-mix and taste the difference for yourself.
So, are Swedish Fish Swedish?
The honest answer: Swedish in origin, American in practice. A Swedish company invented them, but they were built for and beloved by North America, and that is where they live today. For the candy Sweden actually eats, start with real Swedish brands and a bag of loose godis.
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Gustav Lindqvist · Candy Master
Gustav grew up in Sweden on a strict Saturday-candy schedule, mixing his lördagsgodis bag at the lösgodis wall before he could spell salmiak. He has spent years tasting his way across Scandinavian candy, and now curates the range at TheSweetsTruck, from BUBS sour skulls to the saltiest licorice most people cannot finish.
Last updated 6/8/2026