A POPULAR flavour of Walkers crisps has returned to shelves after being axed – and fans say they’re “fantastic”.
Just weeks after the return of its Worcester Sauce crisps, the snack giant has treated customers to a second condiment-inspired flavour.
Walkers’ Ketchup-flavoured crisps have returned to shelves along with Worcester Sauce crisps[/caption]
The company teased the new flavour last week[/caption]
Tomato Ketchup crisps, which have been absent from supermarkets for the last two years, made their official return on Monday (March 17).
But eagle-eyed fans had already spotted six-packs at Iceland days before.
These were also accompanied by multipacks of the Worcester Sauce flavoured crisps – which were originally brought back exclusively to a single store in Worcester.
However, after a surge in demand, the company admitted it had made a mistake – and has since rolled out the snack nationwide.
Shared the news on the Facebook group NewfoodsUK, one shopper wrote: “Walkers Worcester Sauce & Tomato Ketchup Crisps are back!! Now available in packs of 6 at Iceland Foods!”
In a shared Instagram post with Heinz UK, it shared a snap of a crisp, covered with a dollop of ketchup, with the date release date of March 17 written underneath.
The post was flooded in over 2,000 likes and 1,500 comments, with fans sharing their excitement.
One wrote: “The Worcester sauce ones are fantastic just taste like the ones before they stopped doing them.”
Another said: “Best flavour ever ketchup I always say.”
And a relieved third added: “Thank god they’ve brought Heinz tomato back because their normal tomato ones weren’t cutting it.”
Walkers first teased the return of the Ketchup crisps on March 14, with a snap of a crisp covered with a dollop of ketchup along with the launch date of March 17.
The caption read: “You know it makes sense”.
The post racked up more than 50,000 likes and nearly 1,000 comments.
Earlier this month, hundreds of shoppers queued outside a tiny corner shop in Worcester after the relaunch of the Lea & Perrins-inspired snack.
Katie Barnes from Kent said: “Today’s my 28th birthday and what better way to celebrate.
“I’ve been waiting years for this moment, as I used to constantly go on about the Worcester Sauce flavour.
“I took a day off work and travelled over 150 miles to secure the goods – it’s the best birthday present ever.”
To add to the celebrations, a giant six-metre purple packet of the crunchy morsels was floated down the River Severn on a barge.
Gav, who manages Charlie’s Convenience Store, where the crisp was exclusively launched, said:
“I was honoured to be asked to help relaunch the Worcester Sauce flavour crisps.
“I’m playing a pivotal moment in the city’s history – I’d just encourage people to pay us a visit while stocks last.”
CANCELLED WALKERS CRISPS
Walkers has a history of cancelling certain flavours before bringing them back.
In 2024, the crisp giant announced the return of another fan-favourite – BBQ Sauce.
The popular flavour was launched in the 1990s but was discontinued before making a heroic comeback.
In the past, the brand has also treated fans to an array of new flavours, including Tomato Ketchup and Cheese Toastie and Heinz Beanz flavour.
These limited edition flavours were not around for long however, and were removed from stores last October.
Why are products axed or recipes changed?
ANALYSIS by chief consumer reporter James Flanders.
Food and drinks makers have been known to tweak their recipes or axe items altogether.
They often say that this is down to the changing tastes of customers.
There are several reasons why this could be done.
For example, government regulation, like the “sugar tax,” forces firms to change their recipes.
Some manufacturers might choose to tweak ingredients to cut costs.
They may opt for a cheaper alternative, especially when costs are rising to keep prices stable.
For example, Tango Cherry disappeared from shelves in 2018.
It has recently returned after six years away but as a sugar-free version.
Fanta removed sweetener from its sugar-free alternative earlier this year.
Suntory tweaked the flavour of its flagship Lucozade Original and Orange energy drinks.
While the amount of sugar in every bottle remains unchanged, the supplier swapped out the sweetener aspartame for sucralose.
Many Walkers flavours have been discontinued over the years[/caption]
