Jel Sert

The Jel Sert Company is a privately held company based in West Chicago, Illinois, United States.[1] Established in 1926, it specializes in making drink mixes, dessert mixes (pudding and gelatin), and frozen novelties.

History and products

The Jel Sert Company was named after its original product, a gelatin dessert mix, by combining the words jelly and dessert.[2] In 1929, Jel Sert created a powdered drink mix called Flavor Aid. These two products remained Jel Sert's flagship products until the 1960s when the company acquired Pop-Ice and its line of frozen ice pop desserts. Later that decade Jel Sert introduced Fla-Vor-Ice, another freezer pop, to complement its Flavor Aid drink mix line. Fla-Vor-Ice quickly became the leading freezer pop brand in the United States.[3]

Otter Pops were acquired by the company in 1996. Similar to Jel Sert's other freezer pops, the Otter Pop brand is perhaps the strongest on the United States' West Coast and features flavor-based characters such as Lil' Orphan Orange, Sir Isaac Lime, and Strawberry Short Kook. In 1999, the company signed a promotional deal with General Mills' Honey Nut Cheerios to promote its freezer bars.[4]

In 2000, Jel Sert acquired three other trademarks: Wyler's, a brand of powdered beverage mixes, and the Royal and My-T-Fine brands of puddings, pie fillings, and flan. In 2001 it bought Nabisco's gelatin, pudding and baking powder businesses,[5] including Royal gelatin - one of the main competitors of Kraft Foods' Jell-O.[6] In 2012, Jel Sert acquired Super C, Pure Kick and Zoic from Solis Brands.[7][8] It has also acquired All Sport in 2020.[9] Jel Sert also sells alcoholic freezer pops.[10]

In 2021, Jel Sert partnered with Coca-Cola to launch Powerade freezer pops nationally.[11] In 2024, Jel Sert and Mars collaborated to market Milky Way- and Snickers-flavored pudding and pie mix.[12]

In April 2025, Jamba and Jel Sert partnered to create a line drink mix called Jamba Singles to Go.[13]

The Jel Sert Company has done charity work with the American Childhood Cancer Organization, the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, and Operation Homefront.[14]

References

  1. "Contact Us ." Jel Sert. Retrieved on May 15, 2010. Picture : "Route 59 & Conde Street West Chicago, IL 60185"^
  2. Colleen Lobner. Illinois pension fund sells 2 industrial buildings Chicago Real Estate Daily, August 18, 2010, retrieved 18 January 2013^
  3. Veruska Fontevecchia. Why Millennials Are the New Target Audience for Freeze Pops Eater, 2018-08-21, retrieved 2021-10-08^
  4. George Lazarus. Jel Sert Has A Sweet Ally In Cereal Promotion Chicago Tribune, April 27, 1999, retrieved 18 January 2013^
  5. Jel Sert wiggles into Kraft-dominated market Crain's Chicago Business, January 22, 2001, retrieved 18 January 2013^
  6. Jel Sert ready to take on Kraft Crain's Chicago Business, January 17, 2001, retrieved 18 January 2013^
  7. Jel Sert acquires Super C, Pure Kick and Zoic brands Drug Store News, July 9, 2012, retrieved July 10, 2012^
  8. Jel Sert Acquires Family of Functional Beverage Brand Names, Including Super C, Pure Kick and Zoic, From Solis Brands, Inc. Jel Sert, June 29, 2012, retrieved August 23, 2013^
  9. Jel Sert Acquires All Sport, Rolls Out Drink Mix Innovations BevNET, 2020-01-22, retrieved 2021-06-13^
  10. Jel Sert Launches Premium Alcoholic Freezer Bar Brand SLIQ BevNET, 2020-02-26, retrieved 2022-09-03^
  11. Coca-Cola partners with Jel Sert to launch Powerade Sports Freezer Bars FoodBev Media, 2021-04-14, retrieved 2023-04-11^
  12. Cory Alden. Mars Launched Two New Flavors with Their Jel Sert Collab fastfoodclub.com, May 10, 2024^
  13. Jamba launches 'Singles to Go' drinks Fast Casual, April 16, 2025, retrieved 2025-12-09^
  14. Elmhurst couple named Philanthropists of the Year mysuburbanlife.com, Suburban Life Media, 2014-05-12, retrieved 2020-04-27^