Read and weep over these 37 discontinued British snacks that defined out childhoods
I wil never forgive Mars for robbing me of my Planets
Whilst we can collectively agree that British cuisine is mediocre at best (bar the great British roast of course), one thing we can all agree on is our superior selection of snacks. Growing up watching YouTubers try British treats, I always felt a sense of pride at our delicacies, and smugly watched as the internet slandered Hersheys in favour of the almighty Cadburys Dairy Milk bar.
But sadly, times have changed and we parted ways with a number of iconic British snacks after they were discontinued. Here’s a look at 37 legendary British snacks which were discontinued – gone but not forgotten.
1. Mars Planets
Mars planets were low-key the best chocolate of my childhood, what happened to them 🙁 pic.twitter.com/I1ZyPqfcIB
— Matt (@matt_bucks) May 11, 2021
BRING THESE BACK. Who ok’d this monumental loss to British cuisine? Any market research would have revealed just how integral these are to our happiness as a nation. Bringing these back would cure my seasonal depression. Dark at 4pm? It’s fine, I’ll chill with my Mars Planets.
2. Cadbury Dream
Who remembers Cadbury Dream bars? They were my favourite chocolate bar ever omg 🤗🔥 pic.twitter.com/I0ADLeClQr
— lib 💫 (@duhitzlibbyx) August 11, 2017
No white chocolate hit the same as this bad boy. It was a staple since 2002 but after being discontinued, the brand brought out Cadbury White in 2019 in attempt to fill the dream sized hole in our hearts. It was considered a fair replacement by many, but real ones will never forget Dream bars.
3. Frosties sweets
Not just the cereal… frosties the sweets are also for the same kind of people pic.twitter.com/JJKiSDSzbe
— Ḿ̶̡̯̟̫͍̞̌̓̍̕̚i̶͖̼͑̑̆̿̂͌̃̽͊ͅk̴̠̎͊̍̔̿͆͝y̸̓̿l (@MrMikyl) October 23, 2017
Just looking at these sweets makes my mouth water. Fruit Pastels could never.
4. Milky Way Crispy Roll
When the producer walks in and asks “Would you like a Milky Way Crispy Roll?”
Easily the most pointless question asked in Scotland this week… pic.twitter.com/NRlo5UOgjx
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— Garry Spence (@garry__spence) September 9, 2020
Serving as living proof that miracles can happen, Milky Way Crispy Rolls were discontinued in the UK back in 2022 but have since made an epic comeback after positive customer reaction and demand for their return.
5. Calippo Shots
Why were these so good?! Calippo Shots 😍🤤 pic.twitter.com/3f6HhwgZpC
— PrettyLittleThing (@OfficialPLT) April 14, 2021
These were my childhood. As soon as I heard that ice cream van tootling along, I had my pound ready for my Calippo Shot fix. They were a pain in the arse to eat and I got both neck ache and a sort mouth from the plastic but it was worth it.
6. Campino sweets
Campino sweets have returned to bring back childhood memories.https://t.co/RNDXe4BBNl pic.twitter.com/TY4kXADCAq
— LADbible (@ladbible) February 10, 2018
Not a fan of these, but I have to admit they were a British staple and would be present at any long car journey or grandparent’s house. I can’t blame them for discontinuing these in the UK – why would you want a yoghurt flavoured sweet? They’re British icons regardless though.
7. Prawn Cocktail Wotsits
Wotsits Prawn Cocktail: Move over cheese, it’s time for seafood to revel in the classic, foamy crunch of Wotsits. And they do it with real vigour. The tongue-splitting, acidic tang of the prawn cocktail takes no prisoners and leaves you salivating for more. Rating: 8.2 pic.twitter.com/e2dBGiAD5t
— British Crisps (@CrispsOfBritain) January 14, 2025
GOOD RIDDANCE. Some things aren’t meant to be in Wotsit form and that’s ok!
8. Bursting Bugs
@ROWNTREES whatever happened to bursting bugs ? Bring these sweets back please 🤤 #burstingbugs #rowntrees pic.twitter.com/a18R8ML61U
— Amz (@Daenerys_Born) January 27, 2019
Rowntrees Bursting Bugs were all the rage for some reason – I’m not sure why. They seem a bit gross to me but people went mad for them back in the day.
9. Echo Bars
@hayleyfanshaww Echo copy omg!!!! #echo #bar #fypシ゚viral #fypシ #fy #fypシ #fyp #chocolate
Anyone else remember the vanilla and chocolate biscuit bar? Echo Bars were swiped from UK shelves back in the 2010s, with both the original and mint versions being discontinued. Some people were so outraged that they launched petitions for the return of the bar, but they didn’t catch on and we’re still without the legendary British snack.
10. Polo Fruits
Fruit polo anyone? pic.twitter.com/powBlhDefy
— Deeper Season (@SeasonDeeper) August 21, 2022
These were better than the mint Polos and I will die on that hill. Polo Fruits and Polo Gummies were discontinued by Nestle, citing that they weren’t as popular as other products in the Polo range. ERM? Show me that data right now.
11. Fabulous bakin’ boys cupcakes
@gabgoesto_ A choccy cupcake a day keeps the doctor away xxx #fyp #throwback #choccycupcakes
These weren’t the best buns in the supermarket by far, but my mouth still waters looking at photos of them. Something about that thick icing lid evokes all the childhood birthday party feels.
12. CocoPop Straws
@thrifted_com NOSTALGIC BRITISH ADVERTS EARLY 2000s 🔥 PART 12 – COCO POP STRAWS #funny #britishtv #2000sthrowback #nostalgia #viralllllll
These and Nestle Magic Straws were the only way for me to drink my milk on the odd weekend I was allowed one. I don’t know why they were marketed towards kids – I’d buy these now if they stocked them on shelves.
13. Smarties Pop Up ice cream
@minstrelmunches Throwback Smarties Pop Up ice creams #smarties #popups #smartiespopup #fyp #nostalgicfood #icecreamlover #britishfood #discontinued #newfood #britishkids #viral
This was INSANE. The ice cream inside was way better than a Mr Whippy and the Smartie handle? Innovation at its finest.
14. FruFoo Yoghurts
Who remembers Onken Frufoo UFO Yoghurts! You will if you were a 90's kid! Random late night childhood thought! #90'sKid pic.twitter.com/BJDg8f7E
— Adam (@Adam_Ashraff) September 29, 2012
I’m not old enough to remember these, or perhaps my parents simply didn’t love me enough. They have been honoured quite a lot though since their axe from UK shelves, with many people citing their popularity to the included collectible toys.
15. Mars Delight
I still remember the shockwaves after it was announced that this iconic British snack was discontinued. Originally cut from sale in 2008 after only four years on shelves, Mars did announce a limited time return of the Mars Delight chocolate bar but I’m calling for it’s full return. Give the people what they want!
16. Ice Cream Chewits
How the fuckery was I unaware that they brought back Ice Cream flavoured Chewits a couple of years ago?! pic.twitter.com/PWaCoofgFi
— 🏳️⚧️BIZZLEHELMET🏳️🌈 (@BIZZLEHELMET) April 8, 2018
Rogue – I can see why these iconic British sweets were discontinued. The flavour was brought back once in 2009 due to a popular campaign but was discontinued once again.
They were just a bit too out there, I’m not surprised they didn’t make it but I’m pleased to see them make the hall of fame regardless.
17. Tooty Frooties
Tooty Frooties still exist! pic.twitter.com/txMR8nuDS1
— Richard Randle (@richierandle) July 22, 2019
2019 was a sad year for many when Tooty Frooties were axed from UK sales. They were much loved and are sorely missed – nothing quite replicates that crack as you bite into one of those tart little blocks.
18. Jacobs Oddities
Has anyone tried these Jacobs Oddities? They’re so yummy both the bacon & cheese flavours ones 😀 pic.twitter.com/RaGi3QoX
— Karho Lee (@karholee) April 27, 2012
These were GOOD. After only six years on shelves, this iconic British snack was discontinued in 2017. Mini Cheddars are good, but sometimes you just want a fish shaped biscuit, you know?
19. Vice Versas
You know what I miss?… Vice Versas, but in their first iteration. pic.twitter.com/FfantTMDVP
— Laura Holland (@LauraHolland) June 13, 2019
20. Cadbury Fuse
@timetravel.treats For the nostalgia, we need it back! 🍫 #90skids #1990s #fyp #fusebar #nostalgia #cadbury #ukfood #2000s @CadburyUK
The Cadbury Fuse bar had milk chocolate, nuts, raisins, crisp cereal and fudge pieces – a lot if you ask me. It was discontinued in the UK in 2006 and whilst was a staple UK snack, it didn’t stand out for me.
21. Crispello
I miss Crispello a lot 💔 pic.twitter.com/rBFXAOlFYs
— Alice 🌛 (@alicespake) June 15, 2020
These were like a mix of Milky Way Crispy Rolls and Guylian Seashells – a heavenly mix. These were discontinued but there’s currently talk of their return – one can hope.
22. Snaps
These chocolate covered crisps weren’t actually crisps, but a wafer biscuit. Aldi now sells a similar version but you can’t replace a legend.
23. White Malteasers
@gotdatsauce Was the white Maltesers chocolate good? #foodtiktok #chocolate #maltesers #chocolatelove #whitechocolate
Bring these back. In what world would we not want these?
24. Walkers BBQ Rib crisps
walkers are sick in the head for getting rid of the bbq rib crisps pic.twitter.com/6h3R8PuRZA
— Geneva (@GenevaJNixon) April 13, 2021
I will never forget these. They live on in my heart.
25. Punky Penguin Ice Creams
Sean paul reminds me of punky penguin ice creams pic.twitter.com/lsFGkz6gyC
— harmony (@h4rms_) March 23, 2013
Right – this one is personal. The highlight of my childhood existence was one of these little fellas after a delicious family curry. I miss his rubbery hair too.
26. Smarties Mini Chocolate Cakes
We didn’t appreciate these when we had them.
27. Time Out
This chocolate… they could make love stories out about it. Honestly unbeaten, there’s a massive Time Out shaped hole in my life since it was discontinued in February 2016.
28. Trident Splash gum
I had a recurring dream for a while where my teeth were actually trident splash gum & kept squishing & disintegrating 😅💀 pic.twitter.com/BslceIbh86
— mallory (@malloryyy_xo) March 31, 2019
Couldn’t get on board with this one. Was not a fan of the liquid explosion.
29. Panda Pops
I’m sorry WHAT?!?
there was a princess Diana memorial Panda Pops flavour??? 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/0cD2gMgzSf— Mori🦈b.sky time (@mori_sketchbook) April 2, 2025
These were almost illuminous. Strawberry jelly and ice cream flavour was pretty genius though and I felt like a celeb walking round with one of these at a birthday party. And apparently there was a Princess Diana memorial flavour? What would that even taste like? These were discontinued in 2011 after 35 years on shelves. Bring it back.
30. Tasters
see instead of focusing on brexit etc., can someone focus on a petition to bring back dairy milk tasters cos honestly they were sensational 😋 pic.twitter.com/Zi9yLt2ko3
— caitlin (@chm13x) September 18, 2019
These can’t have been much different to other Dairy Milk products but people missed them enough to call for their return after being discontinued in the mid 2000s. They were literally just chocolate balls. Have a bag of buttons instead.
31. Wonka bars
we are all talking so much about wonka but not NEARLY enough about the crime? of launching a movie about chocolate? without LAUNCHING A CHOCOLATE PRODUCT TIE-IN???? i can’t be the only ’90s kid absolutely FURIOUS that i still can’t buy one of these wonka bars pic.twitter.com/FU0Kxy1zty
— emma lord (@dilemmalord) December 17, 2023
I actually didn’t even know these were real? RIP, I guess.
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