Shopping

[Why no t]

My missus has just come back from Asda with....

















Wait for it




























Opal Fruits.

Although they are a limited edition

[CASS]

A decade after they mysteriously disappeared, the fruit flavoured chews that were "made to make your mouth water" are going back on sale.

Opal Fruits were scrapped in 1998 and replaced with Starburst by makers Mars ? much to fans' disgust.

But after a concerted campaign from consumers, the much-missed sweets will make a return to shops for a limited period of three months.

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Opal Fruits and Starburst

They may have been replaced by Starburst but Opal Fruits will return to shelves for a limited time from next month

In order to recapture the original designs accurately, the manufacturers visited the Museum of Brands, in Notting Hill, and studied copies of the original distinctive yellow packaging.

The original four flavours ? orange, lemon, lime and strawberry ? are being brought back.

The only difference this time around is that the new recipe contains no artificial colours or flavours.

The decision to revive the brand without artificial colours follows landmark British research which provided evidence of a link to hyperactive behaviour.

The makers of Opal Fruits and Starburst decided to axe the additives after being challenged by the Daily Mail "Ban the Additives" campaign.

Plants across Europe have been running a capacity to produce enough stock to satisfy expected demand, during what will be a short-term trial of the brand.

A spokesman for the manufacturers, Mars, said: "The brand is a classic.

"Everyone of a particular generation remembers the Opal Fruit catchphrase and we wanted to give our customers something back as a thank you for their support.

"We used the original recipe but swapped artificial additives for natural ones as customers' expectations have changed."

He added: "After a 10-year absence from the UK market and an overwhelming consumer demand we have decided to bring back Opal Fruits, as a limited edition offer.

"For those who remember the sweets in their original guise its will be an opportunity to evoke that sense of nostalgia and for those who are too young to remember them the first time around, this will be an exciting new mouth watering experience."

The sweets will be on sale exclusively through supermarket chain Asda from May 11 for a limited period of 12 weeks. Starburst will continue to be sold as normal.

Mars bosses said that there are no plans to bring back Opal Fruits beyond the three months.

The decision follows the return of Cadbury's Wispa, which appeared back on sale after an internet campaign to revive the chocolate bar brand.

[DTSJim]

Wispas, Opal Fruits, they'll be bringing back lucky charms next! (hopefully)

[slackAlice]

What about Spangles ? Can you still get them anywhere ?

[Number 1]

I used to love an Aztec bar. And can you stil get Topic?

My favourite choccy biscuit was a Bandit!

Oh and will they bring back Opal Mints too?

[Mark S]

Texan bars were my fave. Can you still get Toffos? - A mans gotta chew what a mans gotta chew.

[Phoenix]

Londis Seaborn Road still sell Topics

Anyone remember the P-P-P-Pick up a penguin tune? At old trafford many years ago and the police started to march round to the stetford end ready for the final whistle. The entire stadium sang p-p-p-p-pick up a penguin in time to their march. You had to be there

[Harry]

I remember when Dime bars were 10p

But alas when "The bus to Eckerslyke and back wa' two shillings and threpence" is before my time.