POPULAR Nestle chocolate Smarties Buttons have been discontinued.
Fans of the sweet treat say they’ve been hunting high and low for them and have been devastated by the axe.
The treat comprised a tasty combination of milk chocolate buttons with crunchy bits in, but maker Nestle said it now wants to focus on its core Smarties products.
The decision is a blow to fans, including one who took to social media last month to ask Nestle where they had gone.
He said: “Have the smarties buttons been discontinued? I love them but can never find them anymore and when I look at the links to purchase them every outlet is showing out of stock. Any idea where I can get some from?”
The product was unveiled in 2020 as a “reimagined” treat for choc-lovers with “special memories” of Smarties.
Since then it has earned rave reviews, including one on the Tesco website which enthused: “Opened up the pack and ended up eating them all on one go. Couldn’t stop!!”
Another added: “A nice way to expand on the Smarties brand for a more chocolatey smarties treat!”
At the time of their launch, Alberto Pisanello, brand manager for Smarties, said: “We know that Smarties hold special memories for so many people, and they are much loved for their bright colours, taste and texture.
“At the same time, consumers tell us they like their favourite brands to keep things fresh with exciting innovations and new varieties to try.”
He added they offered all the fun, colour and crunch of Smarties, enveloped in a smooth milk, white or orange-flavoured chocolate button.
Later a gold version was unveiled.
But this week manufacturer Nestle said: “We are waving goodbye to Smarties Buttons which we know has been a beloved product and we appreciate the support it has received.
“However, we have made the decision to discontinue it as we focus on our main Smarties products.
“Smarties fans may want to keep an eye out for the new Smarties Elf Treats giant tube, which is hitting stores now in time for Christmas.”
Smarties have a fascinatingly long history.
They were originally released in 1882 under the name Chocolate Beans, and were renamed Smarties Chocolate Beans in 1938.
Smarties went out of production in the war but resumed production in January 1946, though plain chocolate often had to be used in place of milk due to shortages.
The treats have remained popular, but are now no longer sold in their iconic cylindrical cardboard tubes, which came with a colourful plastic lid.
The packaging design changed to hexagonal in 2005, to keep the brand “fresh”, and the lid was replaced by a cardboard clip for environmental reasons.
How to save money on chocolate
WE all love a bit of chocolate from now and then, but you don't have to break the bank buying your favourite bar.
Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how to cut costs…
Go own brand – if you’re not too fussed on flavour and just want to supplant your chocolate cravings, you’ll save by going for supermarket’s own brand bars.
Shop around – if you’ve spotted your favourite variety at the supermarket, make sure you check if it’s cheaper elsewhere.
Websites like Trolley.co.uk let you compare prices on products across all the major chains to see if you’re getting the best deal.
Look out for yellow stickers – supermarket staff put yellow, and sometimes orange and red, stickers on to products to show they’ve been reduced.
They usually do this if the product is coming to the end of its best before date or the packaging is slightly damaged.
Buy bigger bars – most of the time, but not always, chocolate is cheaper per 100g the larger the bar.
So if you’ve got the appetite, and you were going to buy a hefty amount of chocolate anyway, you might as well go bigger.
