Australians have been left furious after discovering an iconic lolly has been permanently axed, with many labelling the move “unAustralian”.
Nestlé announced on Tuesday Fantales were being discontinued after 93 years of production due to sinking sales and the costly manufacturing process.
But the news has hit Australians hard, with many fans of the nostalgic chocolate-covered chewy caramel insisting Nestlé “must be joking”.
Social media blew up immediately after the sweet manufacturer made the “sad” announcement, claiming Fantales “are a part of Australian culture”.
“Stop this, they are literally the best,” one heartbroken customer wrote on TikTok.
“My whole childhood is gone,” another lamented.
As another declared: “Noooo, they can’t do this to us.”
“WTF the world just keeps getting worse…. these are my fave, I love when they get stuck in my teeth it’s the best,” one shared.
With one fan even paying tribute: “It’s a dark day. Farewell old friends.”
The decision follows declining sales and the need for significant and expensive upgrades to continue to make Fantales at Nestlé’s Melbourne confectionery factory, the company said.
“We know our decision to stop making Fantales will be sad news for many people,” Andrew Lawrey, Nestlé’s Oceania confectionery general manager, said in a statement.
“Many of us grew up with Fantales and have fond memories of them.
“Despite the sense of nostalgia Fantales evoke, unfortunately people simply aren’t buying them as often as they used to.”
He said the equipment needed to make Fantales needs significant investment.
“It’s become increasingly difficult to get the parts we need to maintain it, and with declining sales, replacing it isn’t viable,” Mr Lawrey said.
However, the solid explanation – which comes amid a crippling cost of living crisis – has fallen flat with disappointed Australians.
“This is the end of an era,” one said.
“I’ve been waiting until my braces are off to eat Fantales again and they’ve done this to me,” another raged.
“They cannot do this, it’s a childhood memory,” one insisted.
As one suggested: “This is unAustralian.”
Others regaled tales of enjoying the very chewy lolly, with some sharing their teeth struggles as a result of enjoying Fantales.
“I once cracked a tooth eating one but it was so worth it,” someone explained.
“They helped me lose four of my baby teeth,” another claimed.
As another chipped in: “One time I ate one and my tooth came out – it wasn’t even a wobbly one.”
News Fantales were being discontinued prompted many to state it was the “excuse” they needed to “stockpile” the treat.
As many more simply described the situation as “devastating” and “a total joke”.
“How am I supposed to live?” one asked.
“This is so freaking sad,” another added.
“I don’t understand why we weren’t given a warning,” someone else mused.
“We lose everything good here,” one firmly argued.
Some agreed they would fight the move, calling on others to join the quest, stating: “Let’s protest.”
Fantales were first created in 1930, when the Golden age of Hollywood had people flocking to the movies.
To ride the wave, the chewy caramels were wrapped with ‘fan tales’ of actors and musicians on its wrappers.
The sweet was so widely accepted as part of our culture, the New York Times once declared it Australia’s most defining lolly.
The last production of Fantales will be in mid-July, and Fantales will be available for sale in supermarkets and independent retailers while stocks last.
Nestlé said all staff from the Fantales production line will move to other roles within the factory.