Nestlé confirms it’s axing another favourite chocolate bar alongside Caramac – as fans claim it’s ‘gone too far’ now

Nestlé has left shoppers grieving for the second day in a row after axeing Animal Bar after 60 years due to ‘low performance’.

It joins the ranks of the fallen with Caramac, which is also being taken off the shelves because of poor sales.

Fans of the milk chocolate bar, which has been around in the UK since 1963, are devastated, claiming the food and beverage giant has ‘gone too far now’. 

A spokesperson told MailOnline it’s ‘being discontinued, for the same reason as Caramac – a steady decline in sales’.

Social media users on X – formerly known as Twitter – have been sharing tributes to the chocolate bar, which had two different named animals on the surface and a game on the inside of the wrapper. 

‘Animal bar has passed away,’ one solemn comment said. ‘RIP you will live on forever. Can’t believe it. I wanna run to you. Really can’t believe this.’

‘I’ve woken to the news that the Animal bar will soon be extinct. It brings back fond memories from my childhood, and I know of no other chocolate bar that cracks in the same deliciously satisfying way,’ a second added.

‘Forget Caramacs they are like baby vomit,’ another read, branding the Animal bar the ‘perfect’ treat because it’s ‘not too small and not too big’.

‘Don’t you dare get rid of the Animal bar or so help me god,’ one penned.

Another pleaded: ‘NESTLE WHY??? I LOVED ANIMAL BAR, DON’T CANCEL IT’.

‘Please don’t discontinue the animal bar,’ a commenter urged. ‘It’s literally the best chocolate.’ 

‘Whatever about the Caramac bar going but stay the f*** away from the Animal bars,’ one parent warned. ‘That’s been the go to treat for all my kids.’ 

Animal Bars were popular with children in the 1960s and 70s and were sold as either a single treat or in a multi-pack.

It comes following yesterday’s news that Nestle axed Caramac, leavings fans claiming they are ‘going to riot’. 

The brand claim it’s not as popular as others in their range but it’s been a lifelong favourite for many Britons, with some now demanding that the confectionery company reverses its decision.

The caramel-based chocolate bar first appeared on shelves in 1959, making it a staple for Generation X and beyond. It was created by confectionery firm Mackintosh’s before the brand was taken over by Nestle in 1988.

But after 64 years, the iconic bar – which is made from condensed milk and treacle and doesn’t contain chocolate – will be discontinued due to declining sales. 

A Nestle spokesman told MailOnline ‘We are very sorry to disappoint fans of Caramac. 

‘There has been a steady decline in its sales over the past few years and we had to make the difficult decision to discontinue it. 

‘We know fans will be disappointed to see it go, but this change will enable us to focus on our best-performing brands, as well as develop exciting new innovations to delight our consumers’ tastebuds.’

One outraged user on X questioned ‘Caramac being discontinued Is this some sort of sick joke???’ alongside crying emojis.

The brand responded: ‘We’re sorry to hear you’re disappointed. Unfortunately it wasn’t as popular as others in the range, so it’s been discontinued’.

Another person wrote ‘woke up to the news that Caramac is being discontinued and it quite frankly has ruined my day,’ meanwhile one simply said, ‘Rest in peace Caramac’.

The announcement prompted one fan to reminisce on their childhood, writing: ‘My earliest memory of Caramac was having a Caramac Easter egg as a kid, contained two (maybe three) bars. Eating the whole lot at once and being so sick.’

Others replied ‘loved it soo much,’ and ‘can’t believe my fav choc is to be discontinued’. A user called the treat ‘a true classic’.

Despite the brand claiming the bar is not as popular as other treats, many took to social media to ask Nestle to rethink its decision.

One woman pleaded: ‘@NestleUK Very very disappointed that Caramac will soon be unavailable to buy. 

‘I buy a pack of four every week with my food shop. I hope if enough people complain maybe will reconsider?’

One angry chocolate lover wrote: ‘Nestle have discontinued the Caramac and I am going to riot’.

Another fumed: ‘@NestleUKI What the actual f**k do you think you’re doing..!?? Please tell me that the rumours of #Caramac demise are untrue. 

‘You can’t take something I’ve been eating since for almost 60 years.’

Someone else said: ‘Was my late fathers favourite 🙁 you can’t take Caramac’s away’.

In September, chocolate lovers shared their fears that one of their favourite treats will join the ranks of other snacks such as Mars Delight, Cadbury Spira, Time Out and Cadbury’s Snow Flake which have been discontinued. 

As supplies of Bounty Dark ran short in the shops, fans of the chocolate treat expressed their frustration on social media.

Piers Morgan posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: ‘I’ve just been told my favourite dark chocolate red wrapper Bounty bars have been discontinued. And this is the last one left in my dressing room stockpile.’

‘I’m outraged,’ he continued. ‘This will cause immeasurable harm to my mental health. Please reconsider.’

Mars Wrigley UK told MailOnline: ‘It’s true, we have temporarily had to delist Bounty Dark for operational reasons and we’re working hard to bring the product back when we can. 

The outrage comes after the chocolate brand announced it has started to work on new products for people who might be on weight-loss drugs to ensure it doesn’t suffer if people start cutting calories and stop buying its treats.

‘However, in the meantime, Bounty fans can rest assured that their favourite coconut treat; our classic Milk Bounty is here to stay.’

A spokesperson from supplier Better Retailing at the time said the move was ‘very much temporary’ and it was looking forward to the chocolate’s return.

Social media was flooded with upset chocolate fans, with one especially aggrieved customer demanded the ‘criminal who made this decision be arrested immediately’.

Nestle shares fell last month after Walmart, the world’s biggest retailer, said it saw a pullback in food consumption due to people taking appetite-suppressing medication.

‘We’re working already on a wide range of products that could serve as companion products,’ the Swiss food giant’s chief executive Mark Schneider said during an earnings briefing. 

The company has also faced backlash after slimming down their Christmas chocolate tubs by up to 17 per cent in the last five years, along with Mars Incorporated and Cadbury.

Nestle’s Quality Street tubs weighed 720g in 2018 – they now weigh 600g. 

The forgotten bars of yesteryear: Other popular chocolates which fell by the wayside…

Mars Delight: 2004-2008

On May 15, 2020 Elizabeth Oliver launched a petition to bring back Mars Delight. 

She wrote: ‘I believe this is one of the best chocolate bars that I have ever tasted and the dismay I felt when Mars took the decision to stop the production of one of my most savoured treats.

‘I, with the support of those who share this passion for the chocolate that I love so much hope that Mars will bring the production of this amazing chocolate bar back (or at the very least a box I can get hold of).’

Unfortunately, only 25 people have signed her petition so far .  

Time Out: 1992-2016

Time Out bars were on the shelves for just shy of a quarter of a century before they were withdrawn in the year of Brexit. 

Taaha Rehman wants the snack returned to the shops and has launched his own petition. He wrote: ‘The birth of my first child, my wedding day, making my first million; all are moments that can be dwarfed by the magnitude of the might [original] timeout bar.

‘The delicious, smokey, wafer laced with chocolate inside sandwiched by another layer of the famous Cadbury chocolate, ment a bite of this wasn’t a snack but, an experience. To call it a mear chocolate bar is itself a form of mild sacrilege.’ 

Unfortunately, only 210 people share his view.  

Cadbury Spira: 1989-2005

Carla Jack in September 2018 launched her petition to bring back the Cadbury Spira bar. 

She wrote: ‘I think its time Cadbury started bringing back some of its golden oldies. I remember going swimming with school and using my locker money after to buy spira for the bus back to school. It was a classic, along side marble, dream and taz bars. Cadbury need to bring back some of these classics, lets see if there is anyone out there who feels the same.’

Unfortunately, only 280 people share her opinion.  

Cadbury Snowflake: 2000-2008 

John Malogony launched his petition to bring back the Cadbury Snow Flake in June 2018. 

His appeal has been far more successful in attracting support than for those seeking the return of the other snacks. 

He wrote: ‘In 2008 Cadbury broke hearts by discontinuing the Snow Flake (or Flake Snow). The bizarre decision still baffles people to this day and it needs to be rectified.

‘Say it with me now: BRING. IT. BACK! BRING. IT. BACK!’

He has attracted 7,257 supporters, though this probably is not enough for Cadbury’s to reintroduce the product. 

Cadbury Aztec 1967-1978

The Aztec was a chocolate bar manufactured by Cadbury’s from 1967.

It consisted of nougat and caramel, coated with milk chocolate, and was packaged in a deep purple wrapper.

Cadbury’s introduced the Aztec to rival the Mars Bar, but it was taken off the market in 1978.

There was a brief revival in 2000 with the Aztec 2000, but it was once again discontinued shortly after. 

Cadbury Dairy Milk Marble 1976-2012

Despite being discontinued over a decade ago, B&M reintroduced the Dairy Milk Marble as a limited-time offering last year. Unfortunately, it did not become a permanent addition. 

Dairy Milk Marble was reportedly the number one request across Cadbury’s Australian social media channels after it went off sale – and a petition to bring it back received over 20,000 signatures.

‘Marble fans asked, and we’ve listened! It’s the chocolate Cadbury fans have been demanding we bring back and we’re so excited to see it return into people’s homes and we wanted to ensure that they heard this great news first,’ said Cadbury Marketing Manager Katrina Watson.

The treat, which features a milk chocolate and white chocolate blend with a hazelnut praline centre is only available in Australia, having been discontinued in 2012. 

Milky Way Crispy Rolls: 1994-2022

Over 8,400 people signed a petition to save Milky Way Crispy Rolls after they vanished from supermarket shelves last year – however, this was unsuccessful.

The retro chocolate bar, manufactured by Mars Wrigley UK, added crunchy wafer rolls to the classic, creamy Milky Way.

It was produced for a total of 24 years before being discontinued in 2022.

KitKat Caramac: 2005-2007

A seamless blend of two favourite chocolate bars, the KitKat Caramac combined the KitKat’s wafer with a sugary caramel coating.

The limited edition chocolate bar was sold in 2005 and 2007, but hasn’t been seen since.

Fox’s Echo Bar: 2001-2011

Fox’s Echo Bar made its debut in the early 2000s, but was discontinued after a few years.

It included a combination of milk and white chocolate atop a crispy biscuit base. Additionally, a mint version was available.

Following the discontinuation of the bar some 12 years ago, Fox introduced the Velvety Bar as a replacement, although it didn’t manage to win over fans. 

Cadbury Taz Bar: 1994-1998

Similar to the Freddo bar available today, the slab of Cadbury chocolate used to resemble Loony Tunes character, Taz The Tasmanian Devil.

The 90s cartoon character, created in milk chocolate and caramel, was released alongside a relaunch of the Freddo Bar in 1994.

Although it was a popular choice for pocket money treats, being priced at 5p, the Taz Bar was discontinued after a few years.

Cadbury Nuts About Caramel: 1999-2003 

The original Nuts About Caramel chocolate bar launched in 1999 and remained on shelves for four years.

The milk chocolate, filled with smooth caramel and whole hazelnuts, provided a twist on the classic caramel version. 

However, it disappeared in 2003. 

Cadbury Fuse: 1996-2006

Launched in 1996, the Cadbury Fuse was a regular feature in lunchboxes until 2006, when it was discontinued in the UK. 

The Fuse Bar incorporated milk chocolate, nuts, raisins, cereal and fudge pieces. 

Fuse became Cadbury’s fastest selling bar since the debut of Wispa in 1983.

A substantial marketing campaign lead to a nationwide launch of the product on ‘FuseDay’ – Tuesday, 24 September, 1996. 

Cadbury Dream: 2001-2002

Cadbury’s Dream chocolate bar, made with real cocoa butter, gained a dedicated fanbase in the early 2000s.

However, despite its popularity, the treat was discontinued shortly after its 2001 launch.

It was reintroduced as Cadbury White in 2019, but struggled to attract a larger following. 

Cadbury Dream is still manufactured in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.