SHOPPERS have been left in pieces after Heinz confirmed it has axed a popular condiment.
Easy-to-use spray salad dressings launched have been discontinued, the food brand said.
Fans contacted Heinz after being unable to find the range on shelves.
On social media platforms, one shopper said: “Hi, I recently discovered your Zesty Lemon salad dressing spray, but now can’t seem to find it in stores.”
Another added: “Will you be producing any more of your fabulous Chilli & Lime salad dressing (spray)?
“Tried locally & online but can’t get it anywhere.. our absolute favourite go to dressing along with your garlic & balsamic one. Please bring it back while the sun’s still here.”
Another fan asked: “Is the Chilli & Lime becoming discontinued ? Struggling to find it anywhere.”
And a fourth said: “What has happened to your spray salad dressings cannot find them anywhere?”
The company then replied: “They have been discontinued.”
The shopper said “oh no” alongside a sad-faced emoji.
The range was launched in 2020 with four flavours including chilli and lime, raspberry balsamic, zest lemon, and balsamic with a hint of garlic.
The condiments were promoted as only being have one or two calories per spriz, and were available in major supermarkets.
At the time, foodie fanatics described the range as a “game changer”and others describing them as “lovely”.
Earlier this month, we reported that Heinz has also stopped prodcing its popular ploughman’s pickle.
It comes after Heinz confirmed it has discontinued the Piccalilli Pickle condiment.
Again shoppers contacted the brand after searching in vain for the products in supermarkets.
Big brands often switch up ranges depending on customer demand.
For example, the salad sprays may not have been popular as Heinz was hoping leading the brand to decide to focus on developing other new products instead.
Sometime food companies launch limited edition flavours or products as a way of testing appetite. If successful they may gain an permanent place in a range or be quietly shelved if demand is low.
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 a number of 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 an alternative that’s cheaper, especially when costs are rising in order 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.
