‘Elite’ discontinued 70s sweets spotted back on supermarket shelves

A nostalgic sweet treat has returned after being axed in 1998 (Picture: Shutterstock/Badger Castle) From Kinder Bueno Dark to Walkers Max KFC Chicken crisps, discontinued favourites have been making long-hoped-for comebacks left, right and centre recently. Now, after being axed almost 30 years ago in 1998, one retro sweet treat has been spotted back on shelves — and shoppers are being hit with a wave of nostalgia. Today, Opal Fruits are better known as Starburst, having been rebranded back in 1998. There were a few crucial flavour changes made at this time too; the lemon and lime flavours were combined into one, and an extra blackcurrant was added. In 2020, Mars Wrigley revived the old-school version of these fruity chews for a limited period, with another batch hitting Tesco stores last summer. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. Back then, the supermarket warned that once they were gone, they were gone. But now, fans have found sharing packs on sale once again at Poundland, Home Bargains and B&M, priced at £1, 99p and 95p respectively. Opal Fruits are available in selected stores while stocks last (Picture: Mars) Over on Facebook, the Forth Valley Food Guy posted a snap of his find, writing: ‘Thought I was seeing things, when did this happen?’ ‘Britain is healing,’ joked Dncan Mkenzee in the comments, while Stuart Combe, quoting the brand’s iconic 70s ad slogan, added: ‘Made to make your mouth water.’ The last time Opal Fruits — which debuted in 1960 — returned, Florence McGivern, Skittles’ senior brand manager, commented: ‘The nostalgia trend continues to resonate strongly with consumers, and we are giving them the chance to reconnect with memories from that time.’ Despite enjoying these brief revivals though, sweet aficionados have long been reminiscing on the good old days when Opal Fruits were available24/7. On Reddit, @Defiant-Yellow-2375 said they had a ‘genuinely poetic name for a sweet,’ while @Glittery_Sky4612 ‘loved them.’ Another, @BECKYISHERE, claimed they’re ‘much better than Starburst,’ a sentiment echoed by @Mockingjay1013, who wrote: ‘Starburst just aren’t the same.’ There’s been a similar amount of love for the Opal Fruit ice lollies, hailed by @cmwagstaf1 as ‘absolutely elite,’ with a ‘lovely sorbet coating.’ Fans are reconnecting with long-lost favourites (Picture: Steve Meddle/REX/Shutterstock) This isn’t the only treat to return to shelves in the past year. First launched in 2003, White Chocolate Maltesers were a fan-favourite before being discontinued in 2014. Distraught fans spent more than a decade begging for them to return, and in June last year, Mars Wrigley gave the people what they wanted and resurrected them, answering the prayers of the nation in the process. Similarly, after widespread outcry and an online petition reaching 9,000 signatures, Milky Way Crispy Rolls — axed in 2022 — made a comeback, with Mars admitting that it had ‘made a mistake’ getting rid of them. These milk chocolate-covered wafer biscuit fingers, filled with light whip, had been dubbed ‘god’s gift’ and the ‘best chocolate bar ever’ by doting fans. Deals of the Day Wuka launches the UK’s first period-proof swimwear for heavy flows Bridgerton fans are rushing to buy these new Netflix-inspired perfumes now £12 off The affordable summer wardrobe update you'll wear from rooftop drinks to beach holidays The £7.99 lip balm beauty fans love for glossy, hydrated lips just dropped four new shades This Keskine hydrogel mask could fix your summer skin The brand also added two new Crispy Roll flavours to the line-up, including Twix Crispy Rolls and Bounty Crispy Rolls. Which other sweet treats have changed their names? The good old Opal Fruits aren’t the only piece of confectionery to have undergone a name change. In the 1990s, the Marathon bar was renamed and became the Snickers bar that we all know and love today. Snickers first launched in the US in 1930, with the sweet treat being named after a horse owned by the Mars family. The bar, which consists of nougat, caramel, and peanuts wrapped in milk chocolate, made its way over to the UK in 1968. For 22 years, the chocolate treat was known here as the Marathon bar, but in 1990, Mars decided it was time to bring the UK in line with the rest of the global brand. Last year, Brits were able to get their hands on old-school Marathon bars, with the original name revived on a limited basis. Over on Reddit, @Dansredditname reckoned that they tasted better when they were called Marathon, while @-ricci- claimed that they ‘used to have a chewy caramel layer which has been replaced by a vaguely gooey mush.’ Do you have a story you’d like to share? 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