Nobody said it was easy being a trendwatcher’s kid. A couple of weeks ago my eldest was forced to eat dinner at Wendy’s with two of his best buddies. This week my other two kids had the daunting task of taste testing new Smarties with no artificial flavours. It’s a hard knock life for these guys, let me tell you!
You may have noticed the new “No Artificial Flavours” on the Smarties packages in the supermarkets, but have you wondered why the move? Nestle is just responding to its customers’ demands for less artificial ingredients, and the move to a healthier lifestyle.
The colours are slightly muted versions of the former vibrant hues, and Nestle is still working on a non-artificial blue and green. My daughter insists that the Smarties taste different, but the company (and I) beg to differ.
Luckily, there’s still a red version, so we can all continue to sing along…
“When you eat your Smarties do you eat the red ones last?
Do you suck them very slowly?
Or crunch them very fast?
Eat that candy coated topping, but tell me when I ask…
When you eat your Smarties do you eat the red ones last?”
(and once again, I’m forced to ask myself why I can remember all the words to that song from 25 years ago, and can’t for the life of me remember where I put my cell phone charger yesterday. Sigh).
Finally Nestle Canada go on board.
Notice no blue or green smarties?
But guess what colour grape Koolaid drink is? Turquoise.
Byuk.
European countries banned many food flavourings and colorants a decade ago.
English customers did not get blue or green smarties several years ago because of the blue colorant ingredients. Only recently did they discover a natural blue colourant that is derived from Spirulina, a type of seaweed so now the blue smartie is set to make a return.
I am no foodie radical but seeing less shocking colours in my treats is a very welcome change.
If we demand it loudly enough, change is possible.
Hmm Yum… but I love the new dark chocolate M&Ms more!
Not to be picky, but the line actually goes “Eat that candy-coated CHOCOLATE, but tell me when I ask” !
i love it! healthy smarties – bring it on!
My dear, it’s always the short-term memory that goes first. Now go console yourself with some non-artificially-flavoured red smarties!