Spearmint Leaves and Green Frogs lollies have been discontinued by the confectionery firm Allen’s because they are unpopular, according to its parent company, Nestlé.
“We deleted Spearmint Leaves and Green Frogs late last year because people weren’t buying them,” said Margaret Stuart, corporate affairs manager for Nestlé.
So unloved were the lollies that their absence went unnoticed until an article appeared in Tuesday’s Herald Sun headlined: “Allen’s call to drop beloved Spearmint Leaves, Green Frogs leaves sour taste”.
Stuart said the decision to discontinue the lines was made after examining sales figures. “Red Frogs were outselling Green Frogs 10 to one,” she said.
The decline in sales of Spearmint Leaves had occurred over many years. “Once they were popular, but over the years they have dropped off,” Stuart said.
Contrary to media reports, other lollies such as Oddfellows, Sherbies and Marella Jubes are not being discontinued.
“They are not under threat,” Stuart said. “We don’t make the decision to delete products lightly – it’s quite a considered decision.”
She said last year’s controversial decision to halve the size of the Killer Python had not affected sales.
“With the Killer Python we were expecting sales to drop but they have maintained. It was a hard call to make to reduce the size of a favourite product. Sometimes it’s nice to be proved wrong,” Stuart said.
While no one appears to be openly mourning the extinction of Green Frogs, the news that Spearmint Leaves were to be discontinued caused angst on social media.
Spearmint Leaves. You animals
— Amy Coopes (@coopesdetat) June 30, 2015
Allens Spearmint Leaves are now extinct? whyyyyyyyyyyy?
— Sandra C (@wigglemum) June 30, 2015
“When we delete a product that was popular once people will get sentimental,” Stuart said.
She agreed that if people had really loved Spearmint Leaves they would have survived.
“They [Spearmint Leaves fans] need to put their money where their mouth is.”
