The Price Of Healthy Living: Is Allen’s Killing Off Its Classic Lolly Range?

According to a report in the Herald Sun, some of Allen’s most beloved lollies are facing extinction as the company looks to “streamline its portfolio”. Confectionery on the chopping block includes Green Frogs, Marella Jubes, Spearmint Leaves and possibly even Sherbies (no!). The death of these iconic favourites is a stark reminder that the war on sugar is not without its causalities: namely, diehard lolly fans like me.

[Update: It looks like some of these lollies might be receiving a stay of execution: an Allen’s rep we spoke to indicated that jubes and sherbies are here to stay. On the downside, packaging sizes will now be smaller so our article’s chief point remains.]

For generations, Aussie kids (and kids at heart) have been enjoying Allen’s classic lolly collection in milk bars and canteens across the country. While the price and size have undergone occasional changes, the sinful sweet taste has remained the same. Today, this legacy could be coming to an abrupt end.

The confectionery giant, which is a subsidiary of Nestle, allegedly told the Herald Sun newspaper that several of its oldest products are going to be axed. Tragically, this happens to include most of my personal favourites.

Spearmint leaves, green frogs and jubes have always been guilty pleasures of mine and the prized jewels in any bag of mixed lollies. Oddfellow Mints could also be scrapped and the future of orange-flavoured sherbies is also uncertain.

The decision to knacker these sugar-laden workhorses apparently came down to profits: simply put, not enough people were buying them. It’s part of a growing health trend that has seen the fatty end of the food market gradually squeezed out of business. Many consumers want to be healthier and that’s commendable — but it’s coming at a terrible cost to the rest of us.

These days, it’s literally impossible to find a bag of potato crisps with the same amount of fat content as ten years ago. The same goes for hot chips from all the big fast food franchises. And to top it off, portion sizes are constantly shrinking while prices remain cynically unchanged.

On the one hand, it’s great that food companies are being more responsible when it comes to health and nutrition. On the other hand, it’s a shame that a bunch of gluttons with no self control have managed to ruin it for the rest of us. Iconic treats are beginning to disappear — and those that remain are becoming smaller, plainer shadows of their former selves.

I’m not sure I want to be a part of this lean, sexy New World Order. I just want my green frogs.

[Via Herald Sun]


The Cheapest NBN 50 Plans

Here are the cheapest plans available for Australia’s most popular NBN speed tier.

At Lifehacker, we independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like too. We have affiliate and advertising partnerships, which means we may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. BTW – prices are accurate and items in stock at the time of posting.

Comments


17 responses to “The Price Of Healthy Living: Is Allen’s Killing Off Its Classic Lolly Range?”