Nestle discontinues popular Rowntree’s sweets after just two years on shelves
NESTLE have pulled a new type of Rowntree’s sweets just two years after launch.
The confectionery giant launched Randoms Squidgy Swirls in 2022.
Only to confirm in 2024 that the popular sweets were no longer being made.
The shock announcement came after a fan tweeted the food and drink company asking after the whereabouts of her partner’s favourite sweets.
Writing to them directly on X (formerly Twitter), they wrote: “@NestleUKI my boyfriend is obsessed with Rowntree’s Randoms Squidgy Swirls.. are they discontinued?!
“Can’t find them anywhere!”
A spokesperson for Nestle replied directly with the bad news.
“The Randoms Squidgy Swirls have already been discontinued,” they confirmed.
According to Nestle, Squidgy Swirls were a new take on the standard clear fruity gummy Randoms.
The 140g Squidgy Swirls were yoghurt fruity chews in apple, strawberry and blackcurrant flavours.
The sweets came in a variety pack of shapes including squirrels, moons, cute little pugs and dinosaurs.
Writing when the Squidgy Swirls were first launched in 2022, one reviewer wrote: “Overall, pretty tasty, I’m not sure I’d get them again but they’re a nice variation.”
Another said: “We were thinking the taste would be something along the lines of those Campino sweets you used to get as they tasted both fruity and creamy.”
Adding: “These were a tad disappointing.”
It’s not the first time Nestle has axed products from its Rowntrees Randoms product line.
Confectionery lovers had to say goodbye to the Randoms Foamies sweets after they quickly disappeared from shop shelves in December 2023.
The 140g pink-coloured bags were a fan favourite for many but they are no longer available to buy from UK shops and supermarkets.
No official reason was given at the time for their sudden disappearance and understandably many people were left heartbroken.
But after one person on social media questioned the decision to stop selling the Foamies, Rowntrees said that they weren’t “as popular as others in the range”.
Another sweet discontinued by Nestle were Tooty Frooties, shelved in 2019.
Nestlé confirmed that after 50 years in production, they were pulling the sweets from their range.
A Nestlé spokesman said: “Sweet tastes and trends change over the years and Tooty Frooties have become much less popular in the decades since their launch.
“In 2019, people prefer the jelly and foamy sweets you find in Rowntree’s Randoms and that’s why we’ve decided to concentrate on new products under the Randoms brand.”
Axing within the Randoms brand comes as other fan favourites were discontinued by the sweets giant in the last 12 months.
In February 2024, Nestlé announced it was cutting Breakaway and Yorkie biscuit bars from its range of products.
In June, the company said its popular 2021 limited-edition Yorkie Orange chocolate bars were being pulled from shelves.
Then in November last year they revealed both Caramac and Animal bars were being axed.
And in January 2025, the company confirmed it had discontinued its vegan KitKat due to dwindling demand from customers.
Nestle launches new chocolate bar flavour
But it’s not all bad news for those with a sweet tooth.
Eagle-eyed Nestle fans have recently spotted a new Kit Kat flavour, never before seen on UK shelves.
The Mocha flavoured Kit Kat is a collaboration with Nescafe, the instant coffee maker also owned by Nestle, and is inspired by its mocha chocolate sachets.
Mocha is a coffee drink that combines espresso, chocolate, and milk.
Shoppers spotted the snack on the aisle of their local Sainsbury’s, and were quick to share their excitement.
One person said they “needed” to try the new treat, while another said they would “pick some up next time I see them”.
The product is new to UK supermarkets and retails for around £2.25.
Sainsbury’s is currently selling the chocolate for £2.20, with other supermarkets not yet appearing to stock the product.
How to save money on chocolate
We all love a bit of chocolate from now and then, but you don't have to break the bank buying your favourite bar.
Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how to cut costs…
Go own brand – if you’re not too fussed about flavour and just want to supplant your chocolate cravings, you’ll save by going for the supermarket’s own brand bars.
Shop around – if you’ve spotted your favourite variety at the supermarket, make sure you check if it’s cheaper elsewhere.
Websites like Trolley.co.uk let you compare prices on products across all the major chains to see if you’re getting the best deal.
Look out for yellow stickers – supermarket staff put yellow, and sometimes orange and red, stickers on to products to show they’ve been reduced.
They usually do this if the product is coming to the end of its best-before date or the packaging is slightly damaged.
Buy bigger bars – most of the time, but not always, chocolate is cheaper per 100g the larger the bar.
So if you’ve got the appetite, and you were going to buy a hefty amount of chocolate anyway, you might as well go bigger.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories