NESTLÉ bosses have confirmed that an iconic retro sweet won’t be returning to the shelves leaving shoppers distraught.
Nestlé, which bought Rowntree’s in 1988, claimed they had to discontinue them as they weren’t popular enough.
Tooty Frooties were quietly axed in 2019 after 50 years.
While there aren’t any plans to bring them back – much to the dismay of sweet fans – Nestlé claimed they plan on bringing new treats to the market.
A spokesperson told Sky’s money blog: “Rowntree’s Tooty Frooties were launched in 1963 and delisted in 2019 due to changing consumer preferences.
“Of course, sweet tastes and trends change all the time, and while there’s no plan to bring back Tooty Frooties, Rowntree’s has launched several exciting new products in the past years and has some more new offerings in development for 2025 – so watch this space.”
Despite the exciting news, some confectionary lovers are desperate for the iconic retro sweet to make a comeback.
“There was something really special about the chewy, fruitiness with the crunchy shell on the outside,” said a disappointed shopper.
“There is barely a week that goes by when I don’t think about them.”
With crunchy sugar shells on the outside and a squidgy inside – similar to Skittles – they quickly became a fan favourite.
Tooty Frooties came in strawberry, lemon, lime, orange and blackcurrant flavours.
Last year, a tweet advertising the new ‘Festives’ edition of Rowntree’s Randoms, which includes Christmas tree-shaped pastilles, didn’t go down well with fans of the discontinued sweet.
Mags wrote: “Never mind Festive Randoms…bring back Tutti Fruttis!”
But Rowntrees hit back, hammering the final nail into the coffin of her sweet dreams.
They said: “Tooty Frooties are not coming back, sadly, Mags.
“All eyes on the new Randoms and their cute shapes! Find the festive ones!”
The comment triggered bedlam online as others demanded Tooty Frooties be brought back from the dead.
One fumed: “Nestlé why did you discontinue Tooty Frooties like they were so good.
“I think about this more than I should.”
Another barked: “Pick & mix still slaps but @ROWNTREES please bring back Tooty Frootie. Sincerely. Everyone.”
In 2020, Rowntree’s changed its legendary 139-year-old Fruit Pastilles recipe to go vegan.
Until then the sweet – launched in 1881 – included gelatine, derived from collagen from animal parts.
Maker Rowntree’s, which is owned by Nestlé, said the move followed requests by veggie fans.
It comes after a new flavour of a popular sweet hit the shelves in UK stores just in time for summer.
And sweet-lovers are racing to their local Co-op to get their hands on Vimto’s new fizzy bottles.
