Australian childhood treats we loved as children

Childhood was a simpler time in the 1990s. Round the Twist was on television, Kylie Minogue played on the radio, and sugar-filled snacks filled our backpacks.

From Sunnyboys to Tasty Toobs, at the time it felt our supply of delicious treats would never end.

Then the health revolution crashed in with the wave of yoga pants and fitness bloggers, and now it seems most of our favourite childhood products are dead. 

So in honour of these beloved Australian snacks, FEMAIL has rounded up some of the classic treats that may be discontinued – but will live in our hearts forever.

TASTY TOOBS 

After 61 years on the market Tasty Toobs were given the boot for good in October 2015, with Smith’s revealing there was a lack of ‘consumer demand’

First created in 1954 by The Smith’s Snackfood Company, these potato chips were long known to Australians only as ‘Toobs’. 

Although Tasty Toobs used to come in flavours ranging from Chicken to Mexican Party, it more recently was only available in the original tomato flavour.

Toobs first fell off supermarket shelves in 2001, before being re-released in 2007 with the new moniker Tasty Toobs. 

But they were given the boot for good in October 2015, with Smith’s revealing there was a lack of consumer demand. 

That’s why the company was shocked when thousands took to social media, begging for the tangy treat’s return. 

Cricket star Shane Warne even tried to bring back the snack, launching a Twitter campaign with the hashtag #BringBackToobs. 

SPACE FOOD STICKS

Although they were once marketed to Aussie children as energy food, Nestle discontinued Space Food Sticks in 2014 because it no longer met nutritional requirements.

Although they were once marketed to Aussie children as energy food, Nestle discontinued Space Food Sticks in 2014 because it no longer met nutritional requirements.

Space Food Sticks were created for the Pillsbury Company by food technologist Howard Bauman, the man who helped create the first solid food ever eaten in space. 

Pillsbury Company was happy to associate Space Food Sticks with NASA, even advertising it as a healthy and nutritional food for children. 

The snack came with fourteen individually packaged sticks in each box, and in Australia were available in the chocolate and caramel flavours.

But although they were once marketed to Aussie children as energy food, Nestle discontinued the sticks in 2014 because it no longer met nutritional requirements. 

Last year the company pledged it would help consumers ‘achieve target daily intake of sugars’ that corresponded with World Health Organisation requirements.

But if you’re still dreaming of Space Food Sticks, the chocolate and peanut butter flavours are currently being sold at the Kennedy Space Center and the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum in the US.

MILO BARS 

The beloved original Milo bar was discontinued in 2003 and replaced with a new version that features the powder combined with cereal pieces

The beloved original Milo bar was discontinued in 2003 and replaced with a new version that features the powder combined with cereal pieces

Another Aussie favourite that was too sweet for the country to handle was the Milo Bar. 

A major hit in the 1990s, the treat featured a Milo crumble covered in chocolate. 

The Milo bar was discontinued in 2003 and replaced with a new version that features the powder combined with cereal pieces. 

Nestle revealed that it decided to evolve the Milo chocolate bar and ‘adapt it to the changing tastes and preferences in the market’.

The company said the change was driven by a ‘significant amount of consumer research and feedback’. 

But social media love for the original Milo bar hasn’t died down, with nearly 4,000 people currently in a Facebook group petitioning Nestle to bring back the snack.

GREEN FROGS & SPEARMINT LEAVES

Thousands took to social media to beg that Allen's Green Frogs and Spearmint Leaves be given another chance when they were both discontinued in 2014 

Thousands took to social media to beg that Allen’s Green Frogs and Spearmint Leaves be given another chance when they were both discontinued in 2014 

Allen’s felt the wrath of Australia when it dared to discontinue two of the country’s favourite green treats in 2014. 

Thousands took to social media to beg that Allen’s Green Frogs and Spearmint Leaves be given another chance, and some even called the decision ‘un-Australian’.

But in August Allen's revealed it would bring back the Green Frog - and add two new colours as well

But in August Allen’s revealed it would bring back the Green Frog – and add two new colours as well

The outrage was shocking to Nestle, who revealed that both lollies had been discontinued due to declining sales. 

Allen’s also noted that the Green Frog just couldn’t keep up with the popularity of similar treats, with the company selling one Green Frog to every 10 Red Frogs. 

But Allen’s revealed in August 2017 it would bring back the Green Frog – and add two new colours as well.

The Green Frog joined the raspberry and lime-flavoured lollies, as well as new pineapple and orange flavours, for a ‘Frog Family’ bag.

And even the fans of Spearmint Leaves have a chance to eat their favourite treat again. The lollies have recently reappeared at various Allen’s pop-up shops.

SUNNYBOY 

In August 2016 the Daily Juice Co confirmed it had stopped production of flavoured ice blocks Sunnyboy due to lack of consumer demand

In August 2016 the Daily Juice Co confirmed it had stopped production of flavoured ice blocks Sunnyboy due to lack of consumer demand

Was it really summer without cutting the corner of a Sunnyboy and letting Razz Raspberry slip down your fingers? 

The flavoured ice blocks were an essential treat for keeping cool during those sweaty days, and could be easily found in canteens and corner stores across Australia.

In addition to Razz Raspberry, the treats came in flavours like Glug Cola, Orange Explosion, and Zap Lime. 

The treat was so popular its name even inspired the moniker for the Australian rock band Sunnyboys. 

But in August 2016 the Daily Juice Co confirmed it had stopped production of the icy treat due to lack of consumer demand. 

POLLY WAFFLES 

Nestle announced in 2009 that Polly Waffle was being discontinued for good, but interest in the beloved treat has risen in recent years

Nestle announced in 2009 that Polly Waffle was being discontinued for good, but interest in the beloved treat has risen in recent years

After the first bar was made in Melbourne in 1947, Polly Waffles delighted Aussie children for decades.

A chocolate-covered crispy wafer tube filled with marshmallows, one Polly Waffle contained 231 calories and was made up of more than 50 per cent of sugar.

Nestle announced in 2009 that Polly Waffle was being discontinued for good, but interest in the beloved treat has risen in recent years. 

In 2015 Melbourne company Chocolate Works created their own version of Polly Waffle with the Great Aussie Waffle Log, which is still stocked in various confectionery outlets across the country. 

IN-CRED-I-BITES

In-Cred-I-Bites were crispy pillows filled with a gooey chocolate and hazelnut center inside and were discontinued at some point in the early 2000's, it appears 

In-Cred-I-Bites were crispy pillows filled with a gooey chocolate and hazelnut center inside and were discontinued at some point in the early 2000’s, it appears 

Few know the name, but the minute you show an Aussie that classic green box the memories come flooding back.

In-Cred-I-Bites were crispy pillows filled with a gooey chocolate and hazelnut center inside. 

While they were beloved by many, it remains unclear when exactly In-Cred-I-Bites officially left our lives. 

Thousands are in Facebook groups hoping they can one day bring back the delicious recess treat, and there are now even shirts with the box’s famous mascot. 



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk