Iconic 80s retro sweet is returning to UK supermarket shelves over 27 years after being discontinued
AN iconic sweet treat from the 80s has returned to supermarket shelves 27 years after they were axed.
Opal Fruits, which were rebranded as Starburst in 1998, will now be available across major UK retailers.
The individually wrapped chewy squares will be up for grabs in Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and Morrisons stores for shoppers to enjoy a taste of nostalgia.
The relaunch has sparked excitement amongst 80s and 90s babies, who grew up with the strawberry, orange, lime and lemon treats.
Opal Fruits were first launched in 1960 and stayed on the shelves until the late 90s.
Since then, Mars Wrigley has delighted shoppers twice by bringing them back to stores – once in 2021 and again in 2024.
The manufacturer said that last year would be the “final time”, so the u-turn has come as a welcome surprise.
The treats will be sold in 138g bright yellow pouches.
Florence McGivern, Skittles Senior Brand Manager commented: “Our new limited-edition Opal Fruits will be as iconic as it was in the 90s, giving fans the chance to revisit the strawberry, lemon, orange and lime flavours from decades ago.
“The nostalgia trend continues to resonate strongly with consumers, and we are giving them the chance to reconnect with memories from that time.”
She added: “This limited edition follows successful runs in 2021 and 2024, and we are especially excited about this release as we continue to celebrate the rich heritage of an iconic brand.”
This comes after Tesco turned back the clock to 1995 by selling a range of iconic products to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its Clubcard rewards.
For a limited time, customers could grab classic items like Robinsons, Wagon Wheels, and Rocky Bars, all dressed up in their original retro packaging.
There was also a range of retro fizzy drinks, such as Pepsi, Pepsi Max, and Tango Orange, Apple and Cherry on offer.
And the 90s Heinz packaging also made a comeback, with classic cans of its Cream of Tomato Soup.
This move is part of Tesco’s celebrations marking three decades of its iconic Clubcard, with the retro products sitting alongside a raft of exclusive Clubcard Prices deals.
Shama Wilson, Tesco Group Membership and Loyalty Director, said at the time: “Tesco Clubcard has been delivering great value for 30 years, and we’re thrilled to mark this milestone by bringing back some of the most-loved products in their classic designs.”