I’m an Australian food critic and these are the products I hated most in 2023: McDonald’s potato shells, Vegemite brownies and Prime energy drinks

A popular Australian food critic has named what he says are the eight worst products to hit supermarket shelves and takeaway menus in 2023.

Known for his hilarious and cheeky food reviews online, Russ Eats shared his ‘Stinker Awards’ for the most terrible products released this year.

Topping the list were Coles’ Special Burger Sauce Hot Cross Buns which he said makes him sick just thinking about them, while the foodie also hated the much-hyped Prime energy drink and Green’s Vegemite chocolate brownie mix.

Russ said Coles’ bizarre burger sauce flavored hot cross buns earned its number one spot as the worst product of 2023 thanks to the bits of dried pickle in the dough.

“I still remember the smell when I opened the package, it was like leaving your laundry in the washing machine for a few days,” he said.

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In second place was McDonald’s potato scallop, which was released for a limited time in January.

Russ said the tater tots tasted like an “oil sponge” and an “old man’s heel” – but he had a bigger problem than the taste.

“The reason these are so high on the list is because they released them when we had a potato shortage across the country,” he said.

The scallops also sparked debate among Macca fans as Australians in the southern states were outraged. McDonald’s used the name “scallop” instead of “potato cake.”

Russ’s bronze medal went to Fanta’s mystery-flavored drink.

In September, Fanta announced it was releasing a new purple sugar-free soft drink, but kept the flavor a secret.

After Australians spent weeks guessing what flavor it might be, it was revealed as Apple Strudel.

Russ didn’t rate the drink, comparing it to “gumption” and joking that he thought it could be used to “clean your toilet.”

“It might have been green apple Little Tree car air freshener, but it wasn’t apple strudel,” he said.

Fourth on Russ’ list was the Prime Energy drink, which sent Australian teenagers into a frenzy when it hit convenience stores late last year before being released at Woolworths months later.

“What an absolute letdown, these were so hyped, people were paying $50 a bottle and when we finally got to try them they tasted like p***, like a real savory drink,” said Russ, before admitting that the orange flavor was “okay ‘ used to be. ‘.

YouTube star Logan Paul and famed boxer KSI released the energy drink that fans were craving, despite it costing $12.

Australian stores were flooded with calls and messages from customers asking if the drink was in stock and there were even rumors of teenagers selling bottles to their friends at inflated prices.

The hype around Prime has now well and truly died down and it’s available at convenience stores and supermarkets for a more reasonable $4.50.

Green’s Vegemite Choc Chunk Brownie Mix was Russ’s five worst foods of 2023.

“I’m ashamed that I baked these in my oven,” he said.

“It tasted like normal brownies that were a little salty and a little sour that you cut with the knife you left in the sink that still had vegemite on it.”

V Energy Drink’s packaging design changed in September, prompting rumors that the brand had also tweaked the beloved recipe.

Russ managed to find a can of each of the old and new formulas and put them to the taste test.

He said the old one had the “classic V twang” but the other had an “apple sweetness” and tasted like an “Aldi spin-off.”

In April, Hungry Jack’s added Jack’s Fried Chicken Boneless Pieces to its nationwide menu for a limited time.

But Russ didn’t judge the new snack by comparing it to “air-fried store-brand processed chicken.”

“This launch has caused lasting brand damage,” he joked.

Finally, Russ awarded eighth place to Monster’s coffee-flavored Java Loca Mocha energy, saying it was like “instant coffee gone cold.”