13 lost treats and sweets we'd love to see back on the shelves (2024)

These foods were loved by generations

In many ways, nothing transports us back to childhood quite like our favourite treats from years gone by.

Over time, we've seen an abundance of new chocolate bars, packets of crisps and more capture the taste buds of youngsters and adults alike. Stacked high on our supermarket shelves or available at local independents, we all have a favourite or a guilty pleasure.

But some generations still pine for some that we wish we could enjoy just one last time. Most of us have fond memories of our preferred snacks and are often met with blank expressions from younger generation who have never heard of them.

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Some brands have completely disappeared and become a distant memory, whereas others paved the way for treats still loved today. To reminisce, we've taken a look back at some classics, from treats and snacks to lunchbox staples

This list isn't intended to be comprehensive, we recently put a call out on our Liverpool memories and history Facebook group for your suggestions. But, if there are any lost foods you think we should have included, let us know in the comments section.

1. Aztec

Hugely popular after it was launched in 1967, the Aztec bar is still fondly remembered today. Made of milk chocolate, nougatine and caramel, many will remember the treat came in a dark purple wrapper.

The Aztec was often referred to as Cadbury's answer to the Mars Bar. But its life was relatively short lived as it was discontinued in 1978.

2. Trophy/Banjo

Banjo bars, originally christened as 'Trophy,' were a Kit Kat-style chocolate wafer bar that was first only sold in London. Reinventing itself and being distributed further afield by the 1970s, it is mostly remembered for its navy blue wrapper and bold gold lettering.

Many will remember the new Banjo came in two flavours, Roast Nut and Coconut. The latter version could be spotted on our shelves in a red wrapper.

3. Burton's Potato Puffs

Made by Burton's, Potato Puff crisps came onto our shelves in the 1960s. But they were very popular among generations through the decades.

Flavours included ready salted, cheese and onion, and salt and vinegar - as well as tomato ketchup. They disappeared around 2009, but there is a Facebook group dedicated to bringing them back.

4. Heinz Toast Toppers

Loved by people at lunch or dinner times, Heinz Toast Toppers are another item many miss from the supermarket shelves. From tins of creamy mushroom to cheese and ham options, they were the ultimate toasted bread treat.

Despite its popularity, it was discontinued in 2015. But many Heinz fans still reminisce about it today.

5. McVitie's Gipsy creams

Made by McVitie's, who have been producing biscuits for well over a century, Gipsy Creams were a firm favourite in many households. Consisting of two round oat biscuits, they were sandwiched together with a delicious buttercream.

They sadly disappeared from our shelves in the noughties. But there are still homemade recipes online for people to try.

6. Sayers' salmon paste and Devon whip

Back in 1912, Fred and Lylian Sayer started selling baked products from a basem*nt kitchen on Prescot Road, Old Swan, before production moved to County Road, Walton in 1922 and then a larger bakery in Aintree Road, Bootle in 1925. By the early 1930s, another expansion saw Sayers moved to Lorenzo Drive, Norris Green and from there the Sayers brand expanded across the North West.

From pasties to pastries, Sayers has sold many favourites over the years, including salmon past and Devon whip. Now lost to the past, many will remember the pink tub the Devon whip came in and if you were lucky, you'd get to take the first layer off the top.

7. Rowntree's Cabana

Rowntree's Cabana's were milk chocolate bars filled with the likes of coconut, caramel and cherry. Many will remember it came in a blue wrapper.

Its been discontinued for years, and many have made petitions to bring it back to our shelves.

Do these awaken any memories for you? Let us know in the comments section below.

8. Pendleton's ice cream

Best known for its delicious ice-creams and lolly ices, or ice lollies - depending on what you call it - as well as other sugar confectionery, the business was started in 1935 by William Pendleton. Pendleton’s three sons continued to run the Newset Road-based business on Kirkby Industrial Estate until 1979, when it was sold to Associated British Foods. By the late 1980s, Lyons Maid bought the company.

It was very popular for its Twicers ice-creams. But there's many other products from Pendleton's still missed from our childhood.

9. Tyne Brand stuffed pork roll

Tyne Brand, a company hailing from the North East became the largest manufacturer of tinned meat products, Chronicle Live previously reported. Known for the likes of tinned herrings in tomato sauce and stuffed pork roll, the Tyne Brand was advertised everywhere.

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10. Smith's Football Crazies

Smith's Football Crazy packets of crisps were a must for children of a generation. The corn and potato balls came in flavours like smoky bacon.

Many will remember the cartoon on the packaging, which showed a footballer kicking a ball saved by a gaoalkeeper. The Smith's brand still exists today, but sadly, the football inspired treat is now more.

11. Secret

Manufactured by Rowntree Mackintosh during the 80s and 90s, this bar consisted of a chocolate coating, with a creamy mousse centre It was packaged in a gold-coloured wrapper with the product's name printed on it in purple and white,

Many will remember the TV advert was a mystery style narrative. But by 1994, the bar was withdrawn.

12. Spira

The Spira, like its name, has a distinctive spiral shape. The Cadbury chocolate bar for a time was in all the shops.

It still holds a special place in people's memories, despite being discontinued all the way back in 2005. This Cadbury-made chocolate bar was first sold in shops in the mid-1980s, and is fondly remembered by Eighties kids of the North and South-West, where it was once exclusively sold.

13. Terry's All Gold

Terry's chocolate is still a firm favourite. Known for its chocolate orange - and now its mint edition, many also loved the All Gold chocolates.

There were only discontinued fairly recently, back in 2020. The All Gold was an assorted chocolate box.

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