Oreo has outdone itself with its most outrageous flavors yet.
While the cookie brand has introduced some controversial limited-edition flavors over the years, the reaction to their newest variety will likely be unanimously disgusted.
Parent company Mondelez International announced last week that it is now selling Wasabi and Hot Chicken Wing-flavored Oreos in China, with the brand describing the spicy varieties as ‘BIG and BOLD flavors’ on social media.
Would you dare? Adventurous eaters can now buy Wasabi and Hot Chicken Wing-flavored Oreos
Unfortunately for curious and daring taste testers in the US and Europe, the two new flavors can only be bought in China for the time being – but that hasn’t stopped people around the world from expressing their surprise, and in some cases their horror, at the new additions to Asia’s Oreo line-up.
‘Noooooo is that real?!’ one person responded to a tweet about the new launch, while another commented: ‘They need to give up on this. Even good-sounding ones like “Apple Pie” are just not that great.’
One chimed in: ‘Stop Oreo just stop.’
Anyone outside of China who is daring enough to try the new flavors, which launched on August 21, can turn to eBay, where a few packets of the peculiar new cookie are currently being sold.
Satisfying your spice craving will come at a cost, however: the Oreos available on eBay currently range in price from $13.99 to $23.99 per box.
Of course, these aren’t the only unexpected flavors the brand has launched.
In China, in particular, there have been Oreos that taste like ‘Milky Banana’, a combination of Raspberry/Blueberry, a combo of Mango/Orange, and a mix of Grape/Peach.
Spicy meets sweet: The Chicken Wing flavor is only available in China
And dunk them in milk? However both (including the Wasabi flavor, pictured) are popping up on eBay
Meanwhile, in the US, there have been a wife variety of sweeter options, including Cotton Candy, Limeade, Caramel Apple, Root Beer Float, Swedish Fish, Peeps, Waffles & Syrup, and Cherry Cola.
While the odd new spicy cookies are certainly sparking curiosity, Oreo has been in the news recently for far less favorable reasons.
Earlier this month, Hydrox — a competitor that came out with an earlier version of the sandwich cookie, which later inspired Oreo — accused parent company Mondalez of deliberately sabotaging them.
The brand announced on Facebook that it had filed an official complaint against Oreo with the Federal Trade Commission, alleging that Mondelez has been ‘undertaking a national program to damage our brand and stop us from competing’.
The statement said they ‘have been very frustrated with the hiding of our cookies at major retailers by the folks @oreo.’
‘We finally filed an official complaint with the Federal Trade Commission last week, in which we claim they have been trying to make it hard to find our cookies in stores nationally, in hopes of lowering sales volume and having us discontinued,’ the post went on.
‘We believe in competition and choice, but we firmly believe the folks @Mondelez (the owners of Oreo) have been undertaking a national program to damage our brand and stop us from competing.
Yikes! Mondalez made the announcement on social media last week
Ew: In case the peppers on the box don’t make it clear, the fire does — these are hot!
Um, OK… They’s certainly make for an odd sushi hybrid
‘Many of you over the last few years have been great at taking pictures when you see #hydroxcookies being moved or blocked from store shelves and we really appreciate your help.’
And, in fact, they posted several of those images — and while it’s possible there are other explanations, the evidence is certainly damning.
In several the Hydrox cookies are set up directly behind hanging displays, making them hard to see in grab.
In one picture, the cookies have been turned sideways, so the label is invisible.
And in another, the Hydrox cookies have been moved from their designated spot on the shelf (so visible because of the pricing label) and put higher up. In their original space? Oreos.
Captioning that picture, the people at Hydrox said that even the local store manager noticed the issue, yet every week the Hydrox are moved back to the incorrect space.
The Facebook post went on: ‘Some of you have asked, “How can those guys hide Hydrox in so many stores?” The answer is quite simple.
‘Mondelez uses what’s called in the industry “DSD” or “Direct store distribution.” What that means is, they have their own trucks and personally deliver and restock supermarket shelves nationwide a few times a week, versus Hydrox which are restocked by supermarket employees at night and moved from their own warehouses.
Uh oh! Earlier this month, Oreo competitor Hydrox (right) alleged Mondelez, which owns Oreo (left), had ‘undertaken a national program to damage our brand and stop us from competing’
Damning: Hydrox alleges that Mondelez is instructing its delivery people to hide Hydrox cookies so they are less visible than the Oreo options
‘We had no idea a competitor hiding our cookies was going to be a problem until a buyer for one of the largest store chains in the US sat us down and said, “We’re going to bring Hydrox into our stores, but you’re going to have a major issue to deal with.
‘We then asked, “What’s the issue?” The buyer responded, “Mondelez is going to hide your cookies all over our stores to make sure you don’t get any sales, in hopes of being discontinued. They will see you as a major threat to their market and will do anything to ensure you’re not successful. You’re going to have to hire people to go into each of our stores and make sure Hydrox is not being hidden.”‘
Hydrox then called on customers for support, asking them to call the cookie buyers at their local supermarket’s corporate offices to complain.
‘We hope the Federal Trade Commission will start the investigation very soon. We understand there is already case law on this issue and we hope to utilize it in our case against Mondelez.’
A spokesperson for Mondelez told Today that the company had not yet been ‘contacted’ about the claim but ‘are confident that this accusation has no merit.’
‘Much of our shelf placement is due to the fact that Oreo is the #1 cookie in the U.S., and retailers typically align premium placement to the fastest selling products, based on consumer demand. We always operate with integrity, and we are proud to be America’s favorite cookie,’ the spokesperson said.