One week after it announced it was pulling Caramac from confectionary shelves, Nestle has again sparked outrage with news it will pull another chocolate bar.
The manufacturer said on Wednesday it would be discontinuing Animal Bars due to declining sales. The bar, which was loved for having a picture of an animal moulded on to the surface, was launched in 1963.
The beloved Animal Bar of our youth is being discontinued after 60 years! pic.twitter.com/fZICyOQzbk
— Rory McEvoy 🇮🇪 (@rorymcevoy) November 8, 2023
"[It has been discontinued] due to the low performance of the product and a steady decline in its sales over the past few years,” a company spokesman said.
"We know fans will be disappointed to see it go, but this change will enable us to focus on our best-performing brands, as well as develop exciting new innovations to delight consumers' tastebuds."
Swiss-owned Nestle, which produces KitKats and Fruit Pastilles among other items, has previously cut jobs as part of cost-saving measures.
The news of Caramac’s decline were met with messages of grief, with some saying they will now look to stockpile.
Nestle started withdrawing Caramac single bars from the beginning of September. Multipacks of Caramac will be available until the end of this year.
Paula Swan from the Pastel bakery in Dalkeith told the Standard that customers have been "freaking out and asking if we sell the Caramacs for delivery".
#rip another part of my childhood #animalbar pic.twitter.com/gFa48c13Bg
— Jonathan Gabay (@jjgabay) November 10, 2023
But the Animal Bar announcement has led to Nestle being accused of going too far.
“RIP another part of my childhood,” tweeted Johnathan Gabay.
Beth said: “RIP Animal Bar. With the angels now.”
Rory McEvoy added: “The beloved Animal Bar of our youth is being discontinued after 60 years!”
“Nestle has gone too far this time,” another tweeted.
Animal Bar can still be bought, while stocks last, in shops with Tesco selling it for 25p.
