Editing Ritz Crackers

{{short description|Brand name of snack cracker by Nabisco}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox brand
| name           = Ritz
| logo           = Ritz crackers logo.png
| logo_size   = 130
| image          = 2020-07-19 12 17 29 A sample of Nabisco Mini Ritz crackers in the Dulles section of Sterling, Loudoun County, Virginia.jpg
| image_size   = 200
| caption        = 
| producttype    = [[cracker (food)|Crackers]]
| currentowner   = [[Mondelez International]]
| country        = United States
| introduced     = {{start date and age|1934}}
| discontinued   = 
| related        = 
| markets        = Worldwide
| previousowners = 
| trademarkregistrations = 
| ambassadors    = 
| tagline        = 
| website        = {{url|https://www.ritzcrackers.com}}
| module         = <!-- or: misc -->
| module1        = <!-- or: misc1 -->
| footnotes     =
}}
'''Ritz Crackers''' is a brand of snack [[cracker (food)|cracker]] introduced by [[Nabisco]] in 1934. The original style crackers are disc-shaped, lightly salted, and approximately {{convert|46|mm|in}} in diameter.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}} Each cracker has seven perforations and a finely [[wikt:scalloped|scalloped]] edge. Today, the Ritz cracker brand is owned by [[Mondelez International|Mondelēz International]].<ref name="RitzHome">{{cite web |title=RITZ Crackers Homepage |url=https://www.ritzcrackers.com/ |access-date=2 September 2021 |archive-date=May 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514102548/https://www.ritzcrackers.com/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

A single serving of the original cracker (about 5 crackers or 15 grams) provides {{convert|79|kcal|kJ|order=flip|abbr=off}} of food energy, 1&nbsp;gram of [[Protein (nutrient)|protein]], and 4&nbsp;grams of [[fat]]; the whole wheat variety provides {{convert|70|kcal|kJ|order=flip|abbr=on}} and 2.5&nbsp;grams of fat.

==History==
In the early 1900s, the Jackson Cracker company of [[Jackson, Michigan]], developed a small, round cracker called the Jaxon. The company was bought by Nabisco in 1919. Nabisco introduced the Ritz Cracker in 1934.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cross |first1=Mary |title=A Century of American Icons: 100 Products and Slogans from the 20th-Century Consumer Culture |date=2002 |publisher=Greenwood Press |isbn=978-0313314810  |access-date=4 September 2020 |url=https://archive.org/details/centuryofamerica00cros/page/88/ |pages=88–89}}</ref> Looking to compete with the similar ''Hi Ho'' cracker made by their competitor [[Sunshine Biscuits]], they tasked an employee, Sydney Stern, to create a name and a marketing plan. Stern chose the name 'Ritz', which appealed to individuals enduring the privations of the [[Great Depression]] by offering them "a bite of the good life". He also designed the blue circle/yellow lettering logo design, inspired by the round label inside his hat.<ref>Alioto, Daisy (August 10, 2016) [http://www.foodandwine.com/snacks/how-ritz-cracker-got-its-name How the Ritz Cracker Got Its Name] ''Food & Wine Magazine''. Retrieved June 13, 2017.</ref> 

Beyond the branding, the design of the crackers themselves plays a functional role. The seven holes punched into each cracker allow steam to escape during baking, preventing air pockets and ensuring a uniform and consistent texture, without becoming overly crispy or flaky. <ref>{{Cite web |title= The Mystery of Ritz Crackers - HomeDiningKitchen|url= https://homediningkitchen.com/why-are-there-7-holes-in-a-ritz-cracker/
|access-date=2024-09-04 |website= homediningkitchen.com}}</ref>

In 2011, Ritz was identified in a [[YouGov]] poll as the "best perceived snack brand" among American consumers.<ref>Willett, Megan (September 24, 2012) [http://www.businessinsider.com/ritz-crackers-americas-favorite-snack-2012-9 The Most Popular Snack Food In America]. ''Business Insider''. Retrieved June 13, 2017.</ref>

A cartoon drawing of a box of Ritz Crackers can be seen in ''[[Mickey's Surprise Party]]'' (1939), an animated theatrical advertisement/cartoon short produced by [[Walt Disney Productions]] for Nabisco.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://disneyshorts.org/commercial/graphics/mickeyssurpriseparty/mickeyssurpriseparty6.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100620001005/http://disneyshorts.org/commercial/graphics/mickeyssurpriseparty/mickeyssurpriseparty6.html |archive-date=2010-06-20 |url-status=dead |title=Mickey's Surprise Party (Still 6 of 6) |publisher=Walt Disney Company}}</ref>

==Europe==
Ritz Crackers varieties include Original, Peanut Butter, Roasted Vegetable, Honey Wheat, Garlic Butter, Bacon, Reduced Fat, Hint of Salt, Whole Wheat, Everything and Ritz Fresh Stacks.<ref>[http://www.ritzcrackers.com/products Ritz Products, from the official site]</ref>

A 42-gram "fresh stack" sleeve typically consists of 13 crackers, and contains 220 calories. A standard 126-gram sleeve consists of 32 crackers, and contains 512 calories.<ref>[https://www.ritzcrackers.com/Products/ProductDetails?productId=44000031114&&categoryId=69 Product Details]</ref>

==International ==
{{unreferenced section|date=March 2015}}
Ritz Crackers are available in the United Kingdom and Ireland in three varieties: Original and Cheese flavour, which were sold in 200&nbsp;g boxes, and Ritz Cheese Sandwich (a cheese spread sandwiched between two Ritz Crackers), available in 125&nbsp;g roll packs and 33&nbsp;g snack packs. They are available as mini-crackers in 25g multi-packs.
==Controversy==
In May 2024, 200&nbsp;g boxes were replaced with 150&nbsp;g boxes but the price remained the same. A BBC report cited this as an example of [[Shrinkflation]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Fewer crackers in Ritz boxes but price remains same |date=May 17, 2024 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c51nyq0nxp0o |access-date=20 May 2024}}</ref>

==See also==
{{portal|Food}}
* [[List of crackers]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*{{Official website}}

{{Mondelez|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Products introduced in 1934]]
[[Category:Nabisco brands]]
[[Category:Brand name crackers]]
[[Category:Mondelez International brands]]