75-534: Wotsits are a popular British brand of cheese-flavoured corn puffs produced by Walkers , a subsidiary of PepsiCo . Known for their light, airy texture and distinctive orange hue, Wotsits are a beloved snack in the UK. Originally launched by Golden Wonder in the 1970s, Wotsits have become a staple in British snack culture. The snack is primarily known for its cheese variant, although other flavours have been introduced over
150-552: A Nobel Prize for the invention of partition chromatography in 1952, food scientists began to develop flavours via a gas chromatograph , a device that allowed scientists to understand chemical compounds behind complex flavours such as cheese. In 1954, the first flavoured crisps were invented by Joe “Spud” Murphy (owner of the Irish company Tayto ) who developed a technique to add cheese and onion seasoning during production. Later that year, Walkers introduced Cheese and Onion (inspired by
225-459: A Swiss subsidiary, Frito-Lay Trading GmbH. Subsequently, according to The Guardian , the "UK tax authorities managed to claw back less than a third of what they might" have received had an unchanged structure continued producing the same sort of level of UK profits and tax as Walkers Snack Foods had in 1998. In September 2001, Walkers ran a "Moneybags" promotion where £20, £10 and £5 notes were placed in special winning bags. However, two workers at
300-601: A bag of crisps takes approximately 35 minutes from the moment the raw potatoes are delivered to the factory, to the point at which finished product leaves the dispatch bay for delivery to customers. The company produces a variety of flavours for its crisps. The three main varieties are: Cheese and Onion (introduced in 1954), Salt and Vinegar (introduced in 1967) and Ready Salted. Other varieties include: Worcestershire Sauce , Roast Chicken, Prawn Cocktail , Smoky Bacon, Tomato Ketchup, and Pickled Onion. The Leicester-born former England international footballer Gary Lineker has been
375-442: A campaign. Since 2008, Walkers has run its "Do Us a Flavour" campaign, challenging the British public to think up unique flavours for its crisps. Six flavours were chosen from among the entries and released as special editions. Consumers could vote on their favourite, and the winner would become a permanent flavour. In 2018, Walkers launched six new flavours to celebrate the brand's seventieth birthday, with each flavour representing
450-568: A crisp factory were sacked after stealing cash prizes from bags on the production line. In February 2006, Walkers changed its brand label and typeset . It also announced it would reduce the saturated fat in its crisps by 70%. It started frying its crisps in "SunSeed" oil, as claiming the oil is higher in monounsaturated fat content than the standard sunflower oil which it had used previously, establishing its own sunflower farms in Ukraine and Spain to be able to produce sufficient quantities of
525-508: A different decade. In the 1880s, Henry Walker moved from Mansfield , Nottinghamshire to Leicester to take over an established butcher's shop in the High Street . Meat rationing in the UK after World War II saw the factory output drop dramatically, and so in 1948, Walkers & Sons starting looking at alternative products. Potato crisps were becoming increasingly popular with the public; this led managing director R.E. Gerrard to shift
600-651: A joke or trivia section on the back. Wotsits were one of the sponsors of SMTV Live (alongside other Walkers snacks such as Monster Munch and Squares) from 4 January 2003 until the show's discontinuation on 27 December 2003. In 2003, the advertising agency Abbott Mead Vickers made a public apology when the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health brought to light a private brief that it had made to Frito-Lay (Walkers' owners) where it proposed encouraging children (4 to 9 years old) to believe that "Wotsits are for me—I'm going to buy them when I get
675-631: A limited edition 'Winners - Salt and Victory' crisps to commemorate its home-town football team, Leicester City , winning the Premier League for the first time. Earlier that season, Walkers had given Leicester fans in attendance at a match versus Chelsea bags of " Vardy salted" crisps, bearing the image of the Foxes' striker. Other Walkers products are: In January 2019, Walkers unveiled new packaging for its main range, celebrating its British heritage through its design. The new packaging features
750-515: A limited time. People voted on the Walkers website or used hashtags to see which flavour would be reintroduced permanently (Beef and Onion was chosen). The Marmite flavour was also brought back permanently to coincide with the promotion. On 10 April 2016, Walkers launched the Spell and Go promotion, again fronted by Gary Lineker. This competition caused some controversy as customers complained that it
825-544: A new Purple Monster (which looked like the Pink Monster from the first era) was the main monster for that flavour. In August 2001, Walkers announced a special Halloween variant of the Pickled Onion flavour that could turn the consumer's tongue blue, and was promoted with The Beano and The Dandy comics and three ten-second spots that would air on Boomerang . On 28 September 2002, Walkers announced that
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#1732793890788900-528: A range of cheese puffs in July 2004. In September 2007, Walkers launched Sunbites, a healthier range of lower/better fat crisps made using whole grains. In July 2008, Walkers launched its "Do Us a Flavour" campaign, challenging the public to think up unique flavours for its crisps. In January 2009 six flavours were chosen from among the entries and released as special editions, available until May 2009. During this period, consumers could vote on their favourite, and
975-523: A smiling ghost shape. In New Zealand , the major potato crisp brand Eta made a baked corn snack with the name "Monster Munch" and manufactured since the late 1980s. Like the Irish counterpart, the New Zealand version originally launched with the similar mascots from the British-based version with the different range of flavours that includes crispy bacon, chicken rings, and burger bones, it
1050-577: A story tape which included six "tall stories" and accompanying songs. By the late 1980s there were four main monsters featured on the packaging, although originally a total of six featured in the advertising. The original flavour for Monster Munch when it launched was Roast Beef, followed by Pickled Onion flavours a year later and Saucy in 1981. In the mid-80's, Sizzling Bacon was introduced, while Cheese & Onion, Giant Prawn and Salt & Vinegar flavours were introduced in 1986. The original Monster Munch used two different snack shapes, related to two of
1125-411: A wider campaign), they were renamed "Monster Munch" in 1978. Advertised as "The Biggest Snack Pennies Can Buy" – in reference to the large size of the snacks – each pack featured a different monster on the front of the packet. The snack was supported by a "Monster Munch Club", whose members received a "Monster Munch Munchers" membership pack which included a membership card, pen, several story books, and
1200-478: The 2002 FIFA World Cup . The product was released to compete with Walkers' "Footballs" product. In April 2002, Golden Wonder teamed up with British television duo Ant & Dec for the "Goalden Shootout" promotion. Numbered codes of the back were shown in special packs of Nik Naks, Wotsits, Wotsits Wafflers and new Wotsits Goalden Balls. In May 2002, Golden Wonder announced they would change hands and be sold to Longulf. The Wotsits brand was, however, not included in
1275-567: The Ploughman's lunch ), and Salt and Vinegar was launched in 1967 (inspired by the nation's love of fish and chips ). The Walkers family sold the company in 1970 to the American food producer Standard Brands , who in turn merged with another American food company Nabisco to form Nabisco Brands in 1981. Prawn Cocktail flavour was introduced in the 1970s (inspired by the 1970s popular starter of prawn cocktail ) and Roast Chicken (inspired by
1350-523: The "Tongue" variant of Pickled Onion would be reintroduced as a "Mystery Tongue" variant, where the consumer's tongue could turn either blue or green. On the same day, it was announced that the Roast Beef flavour would be reintroduced after a seven-year hiatus, replacing the Spicy flavour. The packaging said "NEW" on the top and in front of the pack, as it was not the same flavouring as the Roast Beef that
1425-470: The "Wotsits" brands in October 2001. In November 2001, "Wotsits Micro Snacks" were introduced, which were microwave versions of the snack and said "Deliciously hot cheesy snack", and "Wotsits Wafflers Cheesy Potato Shapes", which were oven-based versions of the snack. In March 2002, Golden Wonder announced the launch of a football-shaped version of the product called "Wotsits Goalden Balls" to coincide with
1500-454: The 1990s. Some flavours were made available for a short time either because they tied in with special promotions, or failed to meet sales expectations. Walkers' "Great British Dinner" range included baked ham & mustard and chicken tikka . A series of "mystery flavours" were launched in 2012, and later revealed to be sour cream & spring onion, Lincolnshire sausage & brown sauce, and Birmingham chicken balti. In 2016, Walkers produced
1575-533: The 1993, and a Prawn Cocktail flavour was put onto the market after it replaced Smoky Bacon in February 1998. In the late 1990s, Golden Wonder introduced various brand expansions of the product. The first brand extension was "Long Wotsits" in February 1995, which was longer version of the snacks, and said "How long is your Wotsit?" on the back. The second brand extension was "Weenie Wotsits" in November 1999, which
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#17327938907881650-536: The Flavour Cup. For the 2011 Comic Relief , four celebrities ( Jimmy Carr , Stephen Fry , Al Murray and Frank Skinner ) each represented four new flavours. In early 2013, Walkers revised its packaging, with a new design and typeface. Slogans such as 'Distinctively Salt & Vinegar' and 'Classically Ready Salted' were added to the front of packs. The previous packaging design had only existed for 12 months. Along with this packaging design, there came news that
1725-536: The Monsters. The shape known as a "monster paw" that is still used today has long been the subject of dispute over whether it represents a paw or, instead, the single eye and lashes of Yellow Monster (currently seen on Pickled Onion flavour packs). The other represented the gangly, long-tongued Pink Monster: circular with two bumps on the top for eyes, protrusions on either side and a tongue dangling down. A short-lived range of Monster Munch themed drinks - Monster Fizz -
1800-661: The Spaghetti Sauce Flavour at this time, and the Blue Monster was recoloured Yellow. Flamin' Hot was later introduced in the multipacks at this time, replacing Beef Burger. In April 1998, when Walkers changed its logo, Monster Munch changed their packaging and introduced a new logo. A Spicy flavour was released in August 2000, replacing Cheesy (with the Yellow Monster being retired in the process) and
1875-474: The UK, with some believing Walkers switched the colours; however, Walkers have stated that they have always had that colour scheme. In 2021, actress Thandiwe Newton joked, "Salt 'n Vinegar is BLUE, and Cheese and Onion is GREEN. Ok? Enough with this foolishness." The confusion can be attributed to Walker's rise to become the most popular brand in the UK (overtaking Golden Wonder , whose colour scheme people had become used to) after their acquisition by PepsiCo in
1950-603: The United Kingdom, while Smith's had a third of the extruded snacks market, making them the market leader. The Walkers logo, featuring a red ribbon around a yellow sun, is noticeably similar to Lay's and derives from the Walkers logo used in 1990. Gary Lineker , the Leicester-born former footballer, has been involved in advertisements with the company since 1995. During the 90s, Walkers sold limited edition Salt and Lineker and Cheese & Owen crisps featuring
2025-488: The Walkers logo in the middle of each packet rather than centre-top, alongside a new series of illustrations which are laid out in the shape of a Union Jack flag, and feature icons and landmarks such as London's Big Ben and red telephone boxes , and Liverpool's Liver Building . According to the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy , Walkers crisps packets along with Cadbury chocolate wrappers and Coca-Cola cans were
2100-573: The Wotsits brand as "Wotsits Wafflers," when it was re-launched in July 2012, and was resold as simply "Wafflers" afterwards under the Smiths brand. In 2016 Monster Munch Pickled Onion was voted the champion of the World Cup of Crisps . In August 2019, the packaging was updated alongside other Walkers Snacks, to inform about a reduction in plastic used on the packet. The Walkers logo also returned to
2175-476: The Wotsits brand as is with a new look, replacing Cheetos. On 3 January 2003, Walkers relaunched Wotsits with a brand new look and advertising campaign. The previous flavours alongside the Wotsits Wafflers and Weenie Wotsits varieties were retained from Golden Wonder days, alongside the addition of a "Mild Cheese" variety. On 1 April 2004, Walkers announced the launch of a new "Flamin' Hot" flavour of
2250-607: The addition of Sunseed Oil to the product, similar to the refresh of the main Walkers Crisps range the year prior. The Multipack bags were in a different layout, being in Landscape style. For Monster Munch, while the logo and packaging were changed, the monsters (now depicted in CGI animation) and flavours remained the same. In 2008, Monster Munch began to be baked instead of fried as prior. In August 2008, Walkers announced that
2325-587: The adverts, which had been lost for years after Walkers purchased the brand. A T-shirt promotion was held in the Autumn of 2009 for twelve weeks. A Mega Monster Munch website was launched to coincide with the relaunch. A product called "Mega Monster Munch Webs" was sold starting from Halloween in September 2013 and came in a bacon flavour. This product has been popular enough to be released every Halloween after that. This product had previously been marketed under
Wotsits - Misplaced Pages Continue
2400-537: The bags to Walkers' freepost address, but without envelopes they could not go through machines and had to be sorted by hand, causing delays. In December 2022, Walkers launched a UK-wide search for the best heart-shaped crisp with a £100,000 reward for one winner. In January 2024, Walkers launched three limited edition vegan flavours for Veganuary . BBQ Pork Ribs, Grilled Cheese Toastie and Flame Grilled Steak. In March 2024, Walkers reintroduced their 1990s range of football themed crisps. Salt & Lineker
2475-618: The brand name of Quavers and Monster Munch snacks. In January 1999, Walkers launched Max, a brand with a range of crisps and then a new-look Quavers in March 1999. In April 2000, another of the Max flavours called Red Hot Max was launched and then Naked Max in June 2000. In February 2000, a new-look Cheetos was relaunched, serving as the only cheesy snack in the UK. In July 2000, the Quavers packaging
2550-423: The brand would be relaunched again as "Mega Monster Munch" with a focus on nostalgia and an adult audience, following requests to revert the brand back to its previous state. With the relaunch, the crisps returned to their original larger size, and the packs include retro designs based on the original packs. A campaign titled "Find Our Monsters" began to coincide with the relaunch to find the original costumes used in
2625-562: The business in 1970 to American food producer, Standard Brands . In 1989, Walkers was acquired by PepsiCo , owners of US snack brand Frito-Lay . The Walkers factory in Leicester, the largest crisp production plant in the world, produces over 11 million bags of crisps per day, using about 800 tons of potatoes. According to the BBC television programme Inside the Factory , production of
2700-483: The campaign organisation 38 Degrees noted this represents only a small fraction of the number of packets made and sold annually. Monster Munch Monster Munch are a British baked corn snack created by Smiths in 1977 and manufactured by Walkers . They are aimed at children and widely consumed in the United Kingdom . Flavours include Roast Beef, Pickled Onion and Sweet and Spicy Flamin' Hot. On
2775-519: The chance and pester Mum for them when she next goes shopping". Walkers (snack foods) Walkers Snack Foods Limited , trading as Walkers , is a British snack food manufacturer mainly operating in the UK and Ireland. The company is best known for manufacturing potato crisps and other snack foods. In 2013, it held 56% of the British crisp market. Walkers was founded in 1948 in Leicester , England, by Henry Walker. The Walkers family sold
2850-480: The company focus and begin hand-slicing and frying potatoes. Prior to the 1950s, crisps were sold without flavour; Smith's of London sold plain potato crisps which came with a small blue sachet of salt that could be sprinkled over them. The first crisps manufactured by Walkers in 1948 were sprinkled with salt and sold for threepence a bag. After Archer Martin and Richard Synge (while working in Leeds) received
2925-406: The company would begin using real meat products in its Smoky Bacon and Roast Chicken flavoured crisps. This prompted opposition from vegetarians, vegans, Muslims and Jews , who were now unable to eat these flavours. In 2014, Lineker launched a new "Do Us a Flavour" Walkers competition, allowing the public to submit new flavours of crisps. Six flavours would be chosen and sold for the remainder of
3000-445: The end, it was decided that the flavour with the most fans at the end of the tournament/competition would be declared the winner and ultimate champion of all flavours. Walkers encouraged people to engage in social media activity, and upload photos and videos to its website proving people's Superfan status of Walkers Crisps. The best fan from each of the 15 flavours won £10,000. In the end, English roast beef & Yorkshire pudding won
3075-464: The extrusion process and flavouring. In addition, the programme suggested that 'Lily' is the name of the Pink Monster, as referred to by staff. In February 2021, Walkers announced the launch of Monster Munch Giants, which are larger versions of the main product, similar to Wotsits Giants from the year prior. This variety is sold in Pickled Onion and Roast Beef. In March 2024, the Flamin' Hot flavour
Wotsits - Misplaced Pages Continue
3150-594: The face of the brand since 1995, featuring in most of its popular commercials and successful advertising campaigns. For the 2011 Comic Relief , four celebrities each represented four new flavours. The Walkers brand (under PepsiCo) sponsors the UEFA Champions League and the Super Cup for the UK and Irish markets. In 2019, Walkers reunited with the Spice Girls , with the 1990s girl band featuring in
3225-527: The front of the packaging for the first time in 11 years. The flavours and monsters remained the same. Recreating Pickled Onion Monster Munch featured as a challenge in Channel 4's Snackmasters programme in 2019, featuring chefs Tristan Welch and Matt Worswick. The programme also looked at the production of Monster Munch at the Walkers Skelmersdale factory, including the raw ingredients,
3300-485: The issue of whether the snacks are shaped like monster claws or individual monsters, Walkers said "whilst we think of them as monsters' feet, we don't want that to stop people from coming up with their own imaginative ideas." Monster Munch is suitable for vegetarians . Monster Munch snacks were launched in Britain in 1977 by Smiths . Originally called "The Prime Monster" (a play on " The Prime Minister ", and as part of
3375-506: The likenesses of Lineker and fellow footballer Michael Owen . In 2000, Lineker's Walkers commercials were ranked ninth in Channel 4 ’s UK wide poll of " The 100 Greatest TV Ads ". The official website states that an estimated "11 million people will eat a Walkers product every day". The company employs over 4,000 people in 15 locations around the UK. In June 1999, PepsiCo transferred ownership of its Walkers brands out of Britain and into
3450-489: The makers "work in partnership with Cool Earth ", a charity that protects endangered rainforest; Walkers made charitable donations proportionate to the number of purchases of Red Sky snacks. Walkers discontinued the range in 2014 following poor sales. In April 2010, the company launched a promotional campaign entitled the Walkers Flavour Cup in order to locate the world's most loved and favourite flavour. In
3525-624: The movement of Walkers into the Irish market in the 1990s, the name "Monster Munch" was purchased from Tayto. Thereafter, Tayto changed the name of their snack to "Mighty Munch" to differentiate between the Tayto and Walker snacks. In France , the major potato crisp brand Intersnack (France) commercializes a range of flavoured potato chip based snacks with the name "Monster Munch". The range of flavours includes ready salted, ham & cheese, barbecue, ketchup, pizza and cream cheese. The monsters are smaller in size than UK Monster Munch, much thinner with
3600-399: The nation's roast dinner ). In 1982, Nabisco purchased Associated Biscuits , owners of rival Smith's . In 1988, RJR Nabisco was purchased in a leverage buyout by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co , and to reduce debt several business were sold to French conglomerate BSN , who quickly sold on Smith's and Walkers to PepsiCo in 1989. At the time Walkers had a third of the crisp market in
3675-471: The oil. Walkers updated its packaging style in June 2007, moving to a brand identity reminiscent of the logo used from 1998 to 2006. Many of Walkers brands were formerly branded under the Smiths Crisps name. This comes from the time when Walkers, Smiths and Tudor Crisps were the three main brands of Nabisco's UK snack division, with Tudor being marketed mainly in the north of England and Smiths in
3750-493: The overall salt content reduced. Alongside the returning Pickled Onion and Flamin' Hot (Mega Monster Munch only), two new flavours, Beef Burger and Spaghetti Sauce, were introduced. A wide range of Tazos , featuring images of the monsters, was produced, with one Tazo included in each bag. Since then, various packaging changes and new flavours have been introduced. Monster Munch was later part of Walkers' short-lived "Snackshack" lineup during 1997–1998. A New Cheesy flavour replaced
3825-496: The product, replacing "BBQ Beef", and was promoted as such as a "HOT NEW FLAVOUR!" On 26 July 2004, Walkers announced the launch of a new product expansion called "Wotsits Twisted", which contained twists of corn, and were available in BBQ and Really Cheesy flavours. In February 2007, Walkers changed the packaging for all their snack products, which were Quavers , Wotsits, Squares, French Fries and Monster Munch . This packaging reflected
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#17327938907883900-477: The protest a marine biology student wore a crisp packet dress to her graduation. She claimed the dress was inspired by litter she had seen on a beach. In September 2018, the Royal Mail appealed to customers to stop posting empty crisp packets to Walkers, which campaigners had asked people to do and "flood Walkers social media with pictures of us popping them in the post". Royal Mail was obliged by law to deliver
3975-510: The purchase and was announced to be sold separately to rival Walkers . The purchase was completed by November. Walkers previously released the Cheetos brand in the country (owned by their parent company PepsiCo ), but with little success, where early plans were put in place in October to rebrand Wotsits under the Cheetos name. However, nothing came to be of this planned change and Walkers kept
4050-565: The size of standard Wotsits, and are sold in Really Cheesy and Flamin' Hot. On 18 February 2022, it was announced that the Prawn Cocktail flavour would return to store shelves as a Wotsits Giants flavour in March, once again due to popular demand. At the same time, it was announced that Crunchy Wotsits would be introduced, in Really Cheesy and Flamin' Hot flavours. In June 2023, a "Wotsits Really Cheesy" flavour of Walkers Crisps
4125-593: The south. After the takeover by PepsiCo, the Tudor name was dropped, and the Smiths brand has become secondary to Walkers. The only products retaining the Smiths brand are Salt & Vinegar and Ready Salted Chipsticks , Frazzles and the "Savoury Selection", which includes Bacon Flavour Fries, Scampi Flavour Fries and Cheese Flavoured Moments . To promote the freshness of its products, Walkers began to package them in foil bags from 1993, then from 1996, began filling them with nitrogen instead of air. In 1997, Walkers became
4200-408: The streaky bacon Quavers flavour to salt & vinegar and prawn cocktail in August 2002. In January 2003, Smiths brand Salt 'n' Shake were relaunched under the Walkers identity. In January 2003 Walkers bought Wotsits from Golden Wonder , which replaced Cheetos during December 2002. In April 2004, Walkers launched a Flamin' Hot version of Wotsits, which replaced BBQ beef, and then Wotsits Twisted,
4275-417: The three top brands that were the most common pieces of rubbish found in UK streets in 2013. In December 2018, Walkers launched a recycling scheme for crisp packets after it was targeted by protests on the issue. Three months after its launch more than half a million empty packets were recycled. However, as UK consumers eat 6 billion packets of crisps per year, with Walkers producing 11 million packets per day,
4350-526: The time. In January 2012, the Walkers logo was re-added again and after a while, the brand has simply been sold in Really Cheesy flavour. In August 2012, Wotsits Wafflers were reintroduced, being available in Bacon flavour. In May 2013, it was reintroduced as simply "Wafflers" under the Smiths brand, alongside the relaunch of Wotsits Twisted, branded solely as "Twisted". A limited edition version Zombie Fingers
4425-482: The usage of Sunseed Oil, which was used in all products. The Multipack bags were in a different layout, being in Landscape style. In May 2008, Wotsits were changed from being fried to baked instead. In December 2009, Quavers, Wotsits, Squares, and French Fries all changed their packaging again to coincide with a "99 Calories or Less" range with a consumers' focus on "New Year New Me". Wotsits had 95 calories in multipack bags and 99 calories in standard bags at
4500-543: The winner would become a permanent flavour. The winner was Builder's Breakfast by Emma Rushin from Belper in Derbyshire. This flavour was discontinued a year later, in May 2010, in order for Walkers to focus on the upcoming 'Flavour Cup'. In summer 2009, Walkers launched its premium "Red Sky" brand of "all natural" potato crisps and snacks. It was stated that Red Sky products were made from 100% natural ingredients, and that
4575-457: The year before a public vote selected a winner, with a prize of £1m. The public had to pick one of Walkers' ingredients as a base – Somerset Cheddar , Devonshire chicken, Norfolk pork, Dorset sour cream, Vale of Evesham tomatoes and Aberdeen Angus beef – and create a new flavour using it. In 2015, Walkers launched the "Bring me Back" campaign, reintroducing Barbecue, Cheese and Chive, Beef and Onion, Lamb and Mint and Toasted Cheese flavours for
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#17327938907884650-468: The years. Wotsits are often compared to other puffed corn snacks globally, such as Cheetos in the United States, but are distinguished by their unique texture and flavour profile. When first introduced by Golden Wonder , Wotsits were available in flavours such as Cheesy, Crispy Beef (later named Barbecue Beef and BBQ Beef), Cheese & Bacon, and Spicy Tomato. The latter two were discontinued in
4725-478: Was available in the 1980s. The small range of flavours included orangeade, cola and lemonade. In 1993, the Monster Munch brand was moved from the Smiths brand to the Walkers brand. The packaging was given a final change with larger pictures of each monster eating the product. The Sizzling Bacon flavour was reformatted as "Smokey Spiders", with spider-shaped corn instead of paws. In 1994, Mega Monster Munch
4800-549: Was impossible to win. The fairness of the competition was discussed on You and Yours , the consumer show on BBC Radio 4 . Over 100 entrants complained to the Advertising Standards Authority , who after completing an investigation, decided that elements were misleading, and the competition was banned. As of 2018, Walkers came under pressure from campaigners to change its packaging due to its contribution to litter and plastic pollution . As part of
4875-401: Was introduced, which came in bigger bags in Flamin' Hot flavour. In 1995, Walkers relaunched the Monster Munch brand with a range of four flavours. A new lineup of monsters were introduced and the original shapes of the snack were replaced with a smaller shaped paw using a twin screw extruder instead of the single screw extruders used before. The base ingredients were changed to 100% maize and
4950-666: Was joined by Chicken Tackle Masala , Steak & Ale Pie -nalty, and Sweet Chili Kicker. However, Walkers discontinued Worcestershire Sauce flavoured crisps at the same time. Walkers' most common flavours of regular crisp are Ready Salted (sold in a red packet), Salt & Vinegar (green), Cheese & Onion (blue), Smoky Bacon (maroon) and Prawn Cocktail (pink). Other flavours are sold in other coloured packets, such as Beef & Onion (brown) or Marmite (black). The unusual colours for Walkers packaging with Salt & Vinegar (in green, with other brands in blue), and Cheese & Onion (in blue, with other brands in green) has been debated in
5025-405: Was longer version of the snacks promoted as a "Wot a Whopper!", and also featured as part of a promotion. In September 2001, Golden Wonder ran a "Footie Flikka" promotion, which included twenty Footie Flikkas and a Footie Flikka album. The Mealtime Potato Shapes were later released at McDonald's restaurants in the country, and were later expanded to Wotsits Wafflers as well. Golden Wonder redesigned
5100-580: Was not savoury and swapped the salt with sugar. In September 2004, the Tongue variant returned as "Spooky Tongue", consolidating with new Halloween-themed packaging and the introduction of "Ghost Shape" variant of Quavers . However, unlike the 2002 version, it reverted back solely to turning a consumer's tongue blue, like with the 2001 version. This version returned for one more year in 2005. In February 2007, Walkers announced they would relaunch their snack range, including Monster Munch. The relaunch reflected
5175-424: Was previously sold. In February 2003, a "Baked Bean" flavour was released as part of Walkers' Comic Relief promotion., however, it was only included within multipacks with their Baked Bean crisps. On 21 April, another limited edition variety - "Vanilla Ice Cream" flavour was sold for 16 weeks and was released to a mostly negative reaction. Unlike any other Walkers product or any crisp for that matter, this variety
5250-447: Was put on sale for Halloween in September 2013 and has returned at following Halloweens. These come in Flamin' Hot flavour and are longer and curlier than normal Wotsits. On 9 January 2020, Walkers announced that the Flamin' Hot and BBQ Beef (renamed to "Sizzlin' Steak") would return to store shelves due to popular demand. A new variety called "Wotsits Giants" was also introduced around the same time, containing larger pieces of corn double
5325-472: Was released for a limited time only. In March 2024, the Flamin' Hot flavour for all Wotsits varieties was renamed to "Sweet and Spicy Flamin' Hot" to avoid confusion with Walkers' "Extra Flamin' Hot" brand, of which a new Wotsits Crunchy flavour was released for the range. On 1 July, Walkers announced the "Yummy With" range of lower-salt snacks made with chickpea flour. Two new Wotsits flavours - Crispy Bacon, and Cheese Toastie, are part of this range. The brand
5400-426: Was renamed to "Sweet and Spicy Flamin' Hot" to avoid confusion with Walkers' "Extra Flamin' Hot" brand. On 1 July, Walkers announced the "Yummy With" range of lower-salt snacks made with chickpea flour. A new Monster Munch flavour - BBQ Sauce, was introduced as part of this range. In Ireland , the major potato crisp and corn snack brand Tayto made a spicy flavoured corn snack with the name "Monster Munch". Upon
5475-713: Was smaller version of the snacks promoted as "Little Wotsits for weenie mouths!". This was followed up with the launch of the grid-shaped "Wotsits Wafflers" in May 2000, promoted as "Big, crunchy and waffle shaped!" and the oven-based "Wotsits Mealtime Potato Shapes" in November 2000. In February 2001, Golden Wonder teamed up with the BBC for the Robot Wars promotion. Robot Wars winning leaflets were included in special packs of Wotsits, Wotsits Wafflers, Nik Naks and Golden Wonder , excluding Weenie Wotsits and Wheat Crunchies. In August 2001, "Whopping Wotsits" were introduced, which
5550-399: Was the first to introduce inserts into its packs in March 1996, with the insertion of " Pogs ". In November 1997, also inserted Merlin football stickers and other inserts aimed at 11-year-old boys. The brand was advertised with the strapline "you only get a whoosh with a Wotsit" between 1994 and 2002 following a campaign designed by JWT of a play on words. Wotsits packaging used to come with
5625-405: Was updated. In March 2001, Squares crisps that had been marketed as Smith's, were rebranded under the Walkers brand. In November 2001, more Max flavours were introduced. They included chargrilled steak and chip shop curry. In May 2002, Walkers launched Sensations. Sensations flavours include Thai Sweet Chilli, Roast Chicken & Thyme, Balsamic Vinegar & Caramelised Onion. Walkers introduced
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