Bamba Peanut Corn Snack

Bamba is one of Israel's most iconic and beloved snacks, representing a significant portion of the domestic snack food market. Originally introduced in 1964 with a cheese flavor, it was redefined in 1966 with its signature peanut butter coating, which skyrocketed its popularity. The snack is made from puffed corn grits that are air-baked and then coated with liquid peanut butter, fortified with vitamins and iron.

The product is manufactured by Osem, one of the largest food manufacturers in Israel. Osem operates several production plants, including a specialized Bamba factory in Kiryat Gat, which was inaugurated to meet both domestic demand and the growing international interest in the product, particularly after medical studies suggested its early consumption might help prevent peanut allergies.

While Bamba is an Israeli cultural staple, the brand is under the ultimate ownership of the Swiss multinational Nestlé. Nestlé began investing in Osem in the 1990s and gradually increased its stake until it achieved full ownership in 2016. Today, Osem-Nestlé operates as a subsidiary, maintaining the heritage of the Bamba brand while leveraging Nestlé's global distribution network to bring the snack to international retailers.