Bounty Returns: The one big change you'll notice in the chocolate aisle this week

Bounty bars have returned to supermarket shelves after a mysterious 18-month absence.

The original coconut-covered chocolate treat has been spotted at Coles, Woolworths, and other major food retailers.

It was in mid-2024 that fans of the iconic chocolate treat reported struggling to find it, with no explanation given by manufacturers Mars, Incorporated.

"Where are the bounty bars???" one Aussie shopper asked on Reddit's 'Australia' thread a year ago.

Although not everyone was mad about it.

"Be thankful," one cheeky Redditor commented.

Australian content creator Kati Keksi, who tracks gluten-free grocery items in Australia, was the first to report the return of the Bounty bar, which is now officially gluten free.

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"Bounty has had quite the journey over the last few years," she said.

"First it was Aussie made (may contain gluten), then Netherlands (gluten free) and now … Egypt (gluten free)!" she shared on Facebook.

"Bounty has been missing from Woolworths since they ditched the Aussie ones, but now it's back and gluten free."

One of her followers commented: "Ha ha ha! Just spent $3 on one in Coles!!! I'm In heaven."

"I wondered where they had gone.. sooooo glad they're still GF they're my fav!!" another said.

"Heading to the shops now," said another.

One Facebook user added: "Best news today."

Mars, the makers of Bounty, said the "short hiatus" was necessary to ensure consistent supplies in the future.

"We're thrilled that Bounty is back on the shelves at Woolworths, after a short hiatus," a Mars Snacking spokesperson confirmed to nine.com.au.

"We've recently made changes to our global sourcing to ensure there's a more consistent stock of Bounty for fans in Australia".

Bounty bars have always been unique in that they come in two, identical pieces, rather than being sold as one bar like other Mars products.

It isn't known why it is sold like this.

Bounty also temporarily disappeared from Celebrations chocolate boxes during the manufacturing change.

Celebrations were temporarily discontinued in 2024 to much outcry, but returned to supermarket shelves, with Bounty bars included, the following year.

Celebrations also include Maltesers Teasers, Mars, Milky Way, Snickers, Galaxy, Galaxy Caramel, and Twix.

Both Coles and Woolworths have gone one step further, stocking a new and Bounty product called Bounty Secret Centre biscuits, which sell for $6.50 per pack but are currently on sale at both supermarkets for $3.90 each.

These biscuits also come in Mars and Twix.

The Bounty bar still comes in two, convenient pieces, weighing 25g each and is retailing for $3.

The Bounty chocolate bar was first introduced by Mars, Incorporated in 1951 in the United Kingdom and Canada, was inspired by the American Mounds bar.

It was released in Australia in the '70s and was marketed as a "tropical treat" owing to our warm climate.

The Bounty, and other Mars chocolate reactions, were manufactured in Australia for a period of time from 1979, at a factory in Ballarat.

The factory continues operation, however production of the Bounty has been moved offshore.

Bounty bars have previously been sold in different flavours, including Cherry Bounty, and Bounty Dark Noir.

These have both been discontinued.

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