Last month, Mars introduced Snickers Charged, a version of the candy bar with a cup-of-coffee's worth of caffeine, plus B vitamins and amino acids, ingredients typically found in energy drinks. Jelly Belly Candy Co. has come out with Extreme Sport Beans, which are caffeinated and contain electrolytes, compounds beneficial for hydration, while Hershey has launched caffeine-enhanced Ice Breakers Energy mints.

Both Mars and Hershey said they decided to sell caffeine-enhanced candy in response to consumer interest, pointing out that the products aren't marketed to young children. Mars spokesman Ryan Bowling notes that many products, including soda, contain caffeine, adding that parents have a responsibility to monitor what kids eat.

Read the whole story at The Wall Street Journal »