For many who grew up in the 80s, 90s and 00s, opening a lunchbox was a daily highlight. Among the sandwiches and fruit, a carefully chosen snack could make or break a school day. Here are 11 discontinued treats that defined childhood lunchtimes.
Biscuits and Cakes
The Fabulous Bakin' Boys Choccy Cupcakes launched in 1997. These simple sponge cakes topped with thick milk chocolate were sold in multipacks of six or eight. Individually wrapped, they were ideal for lunchboxes until the Witney factory closed in 2017.
Cartoonies were small, round biscuits filled with milk chocolate and stamped with animal faces. Made by Burton's Biscuits, they launched in the mid-80s as Cartoon Buttons featuring Disney characters. After Nestle acquired Disney food rights, they were rebranded with non-Disney designs. They vanished after Burton's was sold in 2013.
McVitie's Taxi Bars featured layers of wafer, caramel, and chocolate cream, all wrapped in chocolate. First launched in the 80s under another brand, they became a McVitie's staple sold in multipacks. The Taxi Bar was discontinued in 2015.
Fox's Echo Bars were a popular chocolate biscuit of the 00s, with a crunchy base, aerated white chocolate centre, and milk chocolate coating. Launched in 2000 and briefly available in a mint version, they disappeared in 2008.
Chocolate Bars and Drinks
Mars Delight was a slim, crispy chocolate bar with layers of wafer, caramel cream, and cocoa cream, all coated in milk chocolate. Launched in 2004, its compact size made it a lunchbox favourite, but it was discontinued in 2008 reportedly due to low sales.
Um Bongo was launched in 1983 under the Libby's brand by Nestle. The tropical fruit drink became iconic for its catchy jingle: "Um Bongo, Um Bongo, they drink it in the Congo." The original recipe was changed in the early 2000s, and the packaging moved away from Congo Basin imagery by 2007. A version is still available at Iceland, Home Bargains and Costco, but it is not the same.
Kwenchy Kups were 185ml fruit-flavoured juice drinks by Calypso, sold in plastic pots with foil lids and a straw. Flavours included cola, raspberry, blackcurrant, and orange. They were a lunchbox staple throughout the 90s and 00s but have since disappeared from mainstream shelves.
Crisps and Cheese
Tudor Crisps were a northern institution made by Tudor Food Products in Sunderland from 1947. Popular across the North East and Scotland, they came in bold flavours like Pickled Onion, Beef Barbecue, and Hot Dog and Ketchup. The brand was bought by Smiths Crisps in 1961, later acquired by PepsiCo in 1989. Tudor Crisps were discontinued in 2003 as PepsiCo focused on Walkers.
Smoky Bacon Cheestrings were part of the Cheestrings range that arrived in 1996 with the tagline "Real A-peelable Cheese" and Mr Strings mascot. Alongside the classic cheddar, there were Twister, Pizza, and Smoky Bacon flavours. Smoky Bacon and Pizza were quietly discontinued in 2007. Today, Cheestrings are available in Original, Twisted, and Pizza.
Walkers BBQ Rib Crisps came in distinctive black packets and launched in the 00s. They were phased out in the 2010s, but limited-edition packets briefly appeared in B&M stores in December 2023, before disappearing again. Walkers also released a limited-edition vegan BBQ Pork Ribs flavour in 2024.
Jacob's Oddities were quirky crackers shaped like bones, fish, and spaceships. Launched in 2011 in cheese, salt and vinegar, and ready salted flavours, they were axed by parent company Pladis in 2017 after six years on shelves.
