Sweet lovers have expressed their delight after a legendary retro treat returned to shelves nearly 30 years after it was axed.
Opal Fruits was first launched in Britain in 1959 and quickly went on to become one of the nation’s most beloved treats.
The chewy sweets were known for their catchy tagline: ‘Made to make your mouth water.’
Each pack contained blackcurrant, lemon and lime, orange and strawberry chewy treats that were relished by Britons across the country.
They were discontinued in 1998 after being replaced by Starbursts, a fruit-flavoured soft taffy made by confection manufacturer Wrigley.
Now, the Wrigley Company has renamed them as Opal Fruits as part of a limited-time special promotion that will certainly inspire a wave of nostalgia for foodies.
One eagle-eyed customer recently spotted the rebranded Starbursts in Tesco, claiming they were being sold for 31p – nearly three decades after the original packaging was ditched.
According to The Sun, they wrote: ‘Bargain find Tesco, 31p, reduced to clear, not sure all of them are at the price.’
Sweet lovers have expressed their delight after a legendary retro treat has returned to shelves nearly 30-years after it was axed. Stock image pictured
Fans were delighted by the news of the release, with several commenting on a social media post about the promotion.
‘Not been this excited over a bag of sweets for YEARS!’ one message read.
‘Made to make your mouth water,’ another commented in reference to the famous tag line.
Earlier this year, Wrigley released an ice lolly version of the famous sweet that are currently available to shop in selection packs of four at Iceland.
Commenting on the release, fans expressed their excitement over the icy sweets as one person wrote: ‘These are banging,…. I will say the green colour isn’t as green, but they’re highly delicious’.
Opal Fruits’s original flavours were strawberry, lemon, orange, and lime, while Starburst now also includes a lemon and lime and a blackcurrant variety.
Under its new name, Starbursts, the sweet treats now come in many different varieties, such as Tropical, Sour, FaveREDs, Watermelon, Very Berry, Superfruit, Summer Blast and Original.
It comes after sweet treat lovers were delighted the return of white chocolate Maltesers.
The fruit-flavoured chewy sweets were known for their catchy tagline that described that being, ‘Made to make your mouth water’
Opal Fruits’s original flavours were strawberry, lemon, orange, and lime, while Starburst now also includes a lemon and lime and a blackcurrant variety
The popular snack, known for its white chocolate coating wrapped around the crunchy centre, will be back in UK shops from June 16, 2025, and available in treat bag, single and sharing bag formats.
Originally launched back in 2003, white chocolate Maltesers became an instant hit with chocolate lovers seeking something creamier.
But in a move that baffled fans, the product disappeared from shelves in 2014, sparking years of nostalgic cravings and social media pleas.
Devotees never gave up hope, with Mars Wrigley, the company behind the beloved brand, saying it has been inundated with requests ever since.
Comments like ‘Bring back white Maltesers!’ and ‘We’re all crazy about Maltesers at our house – have you thought about doing a white chocolate version?’ have been echoing across the internet for years.
Now, the wishes of a loyal fan base have been granted. In a nod to the growing popularity of white chocolate in the UK, Mars Wrigley has confirmed the comeback many have been dreaming of.
A spokesperson for the confectionery giant said: ‘We’re delighted to bring Maltesers White Chocolate back for the passionate fans who have been anticipating their return for years.
‘Maltesers is all about encouraging people to look on the light side of life, and so definitely try them if you’ve not done so before.’
Fans were delighted by the news of the release, with several commenting on a social media post revealing the release
The updated version stays true to what fans adored the first time around – the signature malty crunch encased in a silky chocolate shell.
It’s sweet, light, nostalgic and, according to Mars Wrigley, it’s everything fans loved but with a fresh glow-up.
The buzz around the product’s return has been building for months, with online petitions and social media campaigns urging the company to listen to the masses.
One X user declared: ‘Bring back white chocolate Maltesers.’ Another fan revealed: ‘Had a dream last night that white chocolate Maltesers were back and I bought a whole crate of them.’
A third said: ‘They need to bring the white Maltesers back, the world went downhill when these disappeared.’
One person wrote: ‘They really need to bring back the white chocolate Maltesers, they were amazing.’
Maltesers were first launched in 1937 by Forrest Mars Sr, an American entrepreneur.
