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Turkey Twizzlers sell out in one day following comeback after 15-year hiatus

Kit Heren
·2-min read
Reign Thornton (age 3), from Gorleston, views a 3m high statue of a Turkey Twizzler that is unveiled at Bernard Matthews' Great Witchingham Hall in Norwich, Norfolk as it makes a comeback after 15 years – now with two flavours, it's healthier and tastier than before: PA
Reign Thornton (age 3), from Gorleston, views a 3m high statue of a Turkey Twizzler that is unveiled at Bernard Matthews' Great Witchingham Hall in Norwich, Norfolk as it makes a comeback after 15 years – now with two flavours, it's healthier and tastier than before: PA

Turkey Twizzlers have sold out in some shops just hours after returning to shelves following a 15-year hiatus.

The controversial product, which makers Bernard Matthews claim is healthier this time, went on sale in supermarket Iceland on Thursday - but some shoppers said they were disappointed not to find them on the shelves.

Bernard Matthews said in a statement that it would replenish stocks as quickly as possible.

The company said: "Turkey Twizzler fiends, we've seen unprecedented demand for the next generation Turkey Twizzler.

Jamie Oliver campaigned to get Turkey Twizzlers off school menus (Getty Images)
Jamie Oliver campaigned to get Turkey Twizzlers off school menus (Getty Images)

"They are available in [Iceland], but some have limited availability or have sold out. All Iceland Stores will be fully stocked at the latest 7th September."

Iceland also said it was working on getting Turkey Twizzlers back on shelves.

Turkey Twizzlers were popular in the UK in the 1990s and early 2000s, before TV chef Jamie Oliver campaigned to get them removed from school menus, claiming they were unhealthy.

Bernard Matthews has said the newer version is healthier as Twizzlers now contain less saturated fat and have fewer calories.

Whereas the old version had just 34 per cent turkey meat, the new Twizzlers have 70 per cent meat, the company said. The rest is mainly herbs and spices, they added.

But the product will still come in the same shape and should be familiar to everyone who enjoyed them before, Bernard Matthews said.

Not everyone is satisfied with the new Turkey Twizzler's healthier credentials.

Barbara Crowther, of the Children's Food Campaign, told the Guardian: “The fact it’s taken Bernard Matthews 15 years to reformulate the Turkey Twizzler shows what a truly terrible product it used to be.

"Doubling the turkey content still only takes it to 67-70 per cent meat content, and while it’s a healthier version of its former self, it remains an ultra-processed product.

“We recommend sticking to fresh, whole, free-range and/or organic turkey, low-fat, high in protein and with no added sugars at all.”