Shoppers turn sour as Woolworths pulls classic Aussie sweet from shelves

They sure don’t make them like they used to. Once upon a time, Australian-made products lined the shelves of stores across the country.

For those with a sweet tooth, there was nothing better than going down to the shops and picking up some homegrown sweets and snacks But in the modern age, many Australian classics have slowly but surely begun to leave our shelves.

Fantales, Dunkaroos, Starbursts, and Sunnyboys have all been pulled from the market due to low demand. As a country, tastes have definitely shifted and unfortunately, many uniquely Australian snacks have been outmuscled by international brands.

This year, another Aussie classic appears to have recently joined their ranks. Sharp-eyed shoppers have noticed that Jaffas have been missing from Woolworths for the better part of this year.

This week a Woolworths spokesperson has finally confirmed that they were pulled from their store shelves due to lack of demand.

“We’re constantly reviewing the range of products we sell and that can mean some are replaced,” the spokesperson said to 7NEWS.com.au.

“We’re always working to make sure we stock the range of products that have the broadest customer appeal. Jaffas can still be purchased through BIG W.”

Jaffas are also still available at Coles.

Jaffas are a chocolate that many people have fond memories of, so their absence from Woolworths has understandably left a sour taste in the mouths of many shoppers. Many have taken to social media to express their disappointment.

“Everything good they either take off or discontinue,” said one commenter.

“Slowly they are removing all the good lollies. There will be none left soon,” said another.

Jaffas first hit shelves in 1931 and were originally known as Sweetacres. Film buffs from back in the day may remember the sound of spilled Jaffas rattling across the movie theatre floors or at least the advertising campaign which talked about “rolling your Jaffas down the aisle”.

In New Zealand, they used to roll 30,000 Jaffas down the world’s steepest street as part of the Cadbury Chocolate Carnival, but unfortunately, that tradition is now over as well.

However, it’s not all bad news. Nestle appeared to confirm that they would make a return to Woolies shelves sooner rather than later.

“Allen’s Jaffas are sold through Coles, independent supermarkets and convenience stores nationally,” a Nestle spokesperson told 7NEWS.com.au.

“They’ll be back in store in Woolworths in 2024.”

Woolworths were contacted by 7NEWS to confirm whether this was true.