Iconic Aussie snacks that are no more

Australians lived through a dark day this week following the sudden news an iconic lolly would be pulled from shelves immediately.

“Un-Australian,” customers slammed on their keyboards, while others threatened their childhood was over.

Fantales would no longer be produced.

As Aussies reflect on losing yet another iconic treat, here is a list of snacks we’d love to have just one more time.

FANTALES

After more than a century of filling people with chocolatey-caramel delight and causing tooth problems, Nestle this week announced Fantales would stop being produced from July.

The decision follows a decline in sales and the need for expensive upgrades at Nestle’s Melbourne confectionary factory, the company said.

“We know our decision to stop making Fantales will be sad news for many people,” Nestle Oceania Confectionery general manager Andrew Lawrey said in a statement.

“Many of us grew up with Fantales and have fond memories of them. Despite the sense of nostalgia Fantales evoke, unfortunately people simply aren’t buying them as often as they used to.”

Angry fans ensured the popular treat sold out within a day, while others questioned how they could go on without the lolly.

POLLY WAFFLE

The wafer, marshmallow and chocolate treat was wiped from shelves in 2009 after being a loved snack across the nation.

The crowd favourite was set for a return in 2020 when Menz had plans to bring back the iconic chocolate.

But the return was pushed back due to Covid-19 and is yet to hit the production line.

“Polly Waffle is a unique chocolate bar, and although it may sound simple enough – with its combination of chocolate, wafer and marshmallow – it actually requires a number of fairly complicated processes to create,” Robern Menz told Sunrise in 2019.

DUNKAROOS

The beloved Dunkaroos were a favourite in lunch boxes, with the delicious cracker mixed with a sugary chocolate dip, making it the perfect snack alongside a sandwich.

But they only lasted on the market for 26 years, disappearing from shelves in 2018.

While a couple of years ago Nestle reassured us they actually never went out of stock … they’re pretty much impossible to find.

SUNNYBOYS

The inconveniently shaped ice blocks were sure to brighten up the playgrounds of primary schools across the nation.

But they were officially pulled from shelves in 2016.

Daily Juice Co axed the beloved canteen treat due to a “sustained reduction in consumer demand”.

“No other products are affected by this deletion, and consumers will still be able to purchase all our other popular brands, including Zooper Dooper,” the company said in a statement at the time.

Sunnyboys used to come in four different and delicious flavours: Pine Lime Pow, Orange Explosion, Glug Cola and Razz Raspberry.

SNACKABOUTS

Snackabouts, specifically the Vegemite variety, were in almost everyone’s lunch box in the early 2000s.

For those that loved Vegemite, the snackabouts were a recess dream.

While you could easily just get some crackers and whack on some Vegemite, it never compared to the concoction of dipping the biscuit into the salty spread.

This snack was always shared around, but it was always the best when you’d lather on lots of Vegemite and push two biscuits together to make it squeeze out like worms.

While they have been discontinued, Vegemite Cheesybites are still apparently sold at Woolworths, but we can’t tell you when the last time they were in stock.

STARBURST

It was August 2022, Australia was coming out the other side of Covid-19 and things were looking up.

Then it was revealed Starburst were no longer being sold anywhere in Australia.

Mars Wrigley announced the iconic lolly brand was removed in June of last year because of the rising cost of production of the Starburst Chews, the iconic squares that made sleepovers and movie nights even better.

The sweet’s absence was noticed when a TikTok lamenting the decision attracted thousands of views.

“Our Starburst products are imported from Europe and like many businesses that are importing products from overseas, the brand has been exposed to supply chain difficulties and rising cost pressures over the last two years,” the brand said at the time.

“After reviewing all options, we’ve made the difficult decision to discontinue the brand in Australia from June 2022.”

The company said it would “prioritise” the production of local treats such as M & Ms, Maltesers, Skittles, Snickers, Extra and Eclipse.

KFC KRUSHERS

What started out as a rumour in 2019 that KFC was eliminating its entire Krusher range quickly became a reality.

After months of speculation when some franchises stopped selling the drink, the fried chicken giant confirmed the crushed ice milkshakes would be no more.

They came in four flavours – Mocha, Golden Gaytime, Kookies ‘n’ Kream, and Chocolate Cornetto – and were a staple drink to go alongside some chicken and chippies.

KFC eventually confirmed they were being phased out in favour of the fast-food chain’s frozen soft-drink range.

“We know we have a small but loyal following for Krushers, but with the increasing popularity of our delicious frozen beverage range, we’ve made the difficult decision to phase out Krushers and give the majority of our customers that brain freeze they’ve been seeking,” a spokeswoman said at the time.

Petitions were started on change.org, one titled “Bring back the Krushers at KFC” and “Bring back KFC Krushers”, but they are yet to be successful.

INCREDIBITES

Incredibites, a delicious recess snack with biscuit and chocolate, haven’t been spotted on shelves since the early noughties.

The lunch box favourite was so loved there was a petition launched online to bring it back.

“Incredibites disappeared off of supermarket shelves many years ago, but there was no reason for it since it was such a great snack!” the petition read.

But all attempts to revive the snack have been unsuccessful.

M & M BISCUITS

A delicious biscuit, topped with chocolate and mini M & Ms … a recess delight.

The biscuit was introduced to Australians then discontinued just a few years later.

They were beloved across the playground, and many were devastated to see them go.

But M & M’s still have lots of products available across the country.

ARNOTT’S CLASSIC ASSORTED

Last year, Arnott’s announced it would be discontinuing its widely popular Classic Assorted biscuit pack that retailed for just $4.50 for 500g.

It was a classic whenever a guest was coming over to pair with tea or coffee, with a favourite for everyone.

While there is no longer a debate ranking which flavour is the best (shortbread cream), all the biscuits are still available separately.

The variety pack included six delicious bickies – Butternut Snap, Kingston, Choc Chip, Scotch Finger, Shortbread Cream and Monte Carlo biscuits.

HONEY JUMBLES

Arnott’s revealed it would no longer be producing its iconic Honey Jumbles biscuits in mid-2021.

The delicious ginger treat was pulled from production with no plans to revive it despite fans being outraged about the decision.

“We stopped baking our Honey Jumbles in July 2021. At this stage, there are no plans to bring the product back to shelf,” a spokesman said at the time.

“We know there are some passionate Honey Jumbles fans out there, which is why Arnott’s executive chef Vanessa Horton has adapted the Honey Jumbles recipe so that people can recreate these biscuits at home.”