Dropping like squashed flies! Where have all the Garibaldis gone?

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 17:06 EDT, 5 September 2026 | Updated: 17:15 EDT, 5 September 2026 Just when you thought life couldn’t be more galling comes a dilemma to take the biscuit – where have all the Garibaldis gone?Fans of the currant snack, known as ‘squashed fly biscuits’ for generations, are increasingly frustrated by their absence from shop shelves nationwide.They have taken to social media to voice alarm that they are falling out of fashion, with many claiming local stores no longer stock them.In one post on Facebook, titled ‘The Great Garibaldi Disappearance of 2026’, one man in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, wrote: ‘I swear I haven’t seen a packet for months now. Is this a nationwide biscuit crisis?’ Another wrote: ‘I want to alert you all to the drama involving Tesco and Garibaldi biscuits.‘Our local store no longer stocks them (they are my husband’s favourite and he is distraught!).’Fan Jane Breame called it ‘the thin end of the wedge – first Garibaldis and before you know it, it’ll be fig rolls’.A search by The Mail on Sunday confirmed patchy supplies of the biscuit, which was created in 1861 by Peek Freans in South-east London, and named to celebrate Giuseppe Garibaldi unifying Italy. Fans of Garibaldis are increasingly frustrated by their absence from shop shelves nationwideTesco’s £1.50 pack of own-brand Garibaldis are showing as ‘out of stock’, with the last review of them written in December 2025.A 79p pack by budget range Jack’s, also sold by Tesco, is also out of stock. Grocery comparison site Trolley shows there are no packs of Waitrose Essential Garibaldis available anywhere.M&S Garibaldis are also not available anywhere, according to Trolley, and no longer appear on the chain’s website. Intriguingly, the latest reviews complain the formula for Garibaldis may have altered, with one saying: ‘These must have changed or else my taste has – not the best.’ The only stores still stocking Garibaldis are Sainsbury’s and Morrisons, with packs at £1.55 and £1.50 respectively.The reason for the shortage remains unclear. The British Retail Consortium said it was unaware of any issues. Morrisons said it had no supply problems. Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, M&S and the Co-op all failed to respond to our inquiries.Pladis, the parent firm of McVitie’s and Crawfords, which makes its own Garibaldis, said: ‘Stocking choices are typically determined by each supermarket.’