Popular chocolate box discontinued in Australia after a series of controversial changes: 'Another childhood thing gone'
A popular chocolate box has been discontinued in Australia after a series of controversial changes.
Quality Street by Nestle will no longer be imported into Australia from the UK, with Aussie shoppers searching for the product in the lead up to Christmas only to be left empty handed.
Nestle Australia has confirmed the news to nine.com.au, saying: "Unfortunately, we have made the tough decision to stop importing Quality Street.
Quality Street by Nestle will no longer be imported into Australia from the UK. Amazon
"We know Quality Street are cherished favourites and will be missed by many.
"But we're continuing to make Christmas sweet for our chocolate lovers with our new and returning favourites like the KitKat Christmas Cabin, KitKat 12 Breaks of Christmas Advent Calendar, Allen's BonBon, Allen's Giant Freckle, and Milkybar Gingerbread Smash.
"Our festive treats are designed to bring people together, for sharing, and creating new traditions, one delicious bite at a time."
A Quality Street fan named Robert took to the Old Shops Australia Facebook group when he realised the popular product was missing from supermarket shelves.
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"Unfortunately, we have made the tough decision to stop importing Quality Street," Nestle told nine.com.au. Nine
He contacted Nestle, asking when Quality Street would be released in time for Christmas, only to be told the product had been discontinued.
Robert shared a screenshot of Nestle's response to his inquiry on Facebook, along with the comment: "For the past few years, people have been complaining about the shrinking size of Quality Street chocolates.
"Neste have solved the problem. They're no longer importing them into Australia."
His post was flooded with almost 200 comments, with one Quality Street fan saying they had gone to Nestle's website to make a "formal complaint" over the discontinuation.
"Wow no wonder I cant find them sadly 1st xmas with none in years," one said, "Another childhood thing gone."
"No! I've been looking for them for weeks. Please Nestle reverse your decision," added another.
"I have been repeatedly asking in Coles and Woolworths when Quality Street would be available…well…that's Christmas tradition out the window!" one disappointed shopper added.
Nestle's decision to discontinue Quality Street in Australia comes after a series of controversial changes over the past few years, including a noticeable reduction in size.
One Quality Street fan had posted about the product being MIA on Facebook, drawing 200 comments. Nine
One fan shared a photo of the packages over the past four decades, showing just how much smaller they had become.
By the time Quality Street was discontinued in Australia this year, reportedly in November, they weighed 500g and cost approximately $34.
They were also sold in a cardboard box as opposed to the aluminium tins or plastic boxes of years past.
At the time, Nestle cited environmental reasons for the packaging change.
The changing size of Quality Street chocolate boxes has been noticed by fans of the product. Facebook/ @Chocolate From The Past
"We're aiming to remove more than 30 tonnes of plastic material each year by switching Quality Street to a paper tub," a spokesperson told nine.com.au.
"We're also transitioning to new paper-based wrappers inside the tub, too."
Other changes included two of the flavours, with the purple hazelut and orange crunch chocolates changing in shape from oval and hexagon to round in late 2023.
One Facebooker suggested buying Quality Street through British confectionary stores, but this will certainly come at a premium price.
One Facebooker suggested purchasing them through British confectionary stores. 9Honey
One store called British Essentials is selling Quality Street for $41.19, however, to ship to Australia it costs an extra $75.
This means one packet would cost Aussies $116.19 – which, by the way, would buy 16 Cadbury Favourites 265g packs or 15 Celebrations boxes.
So, let's not do that, then.
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Quality Street is a classic British assortment of chocolates and toffees, famous for its colourful, individually-wrapped sweets like the Green Triangle (hazelnut praline) and Toffee Penny, traditionally sold in distinctive tins and tubs.
A shipping fee of $75 is added when Quality Street is purchased via a British store. Nine
They also included nostalgic flavours like Strawberry Delight, Orange Cream, and Caramel Swirl, making it a beloved UK tradition alongside Cadbury Roses.
Quality Street was first launched by British company Mackintosh's in 1936 and was acquired by Nestle in 1988.
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