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Walkers has confirmed that it’ll be discontinuing one of its spicy crisp brands after over 50 years. The much-loved Smith’s Spicy Tomato Snaps are no more, after manufacturers decided to pull the plug on the Lincoln-made snack earlier this month. PepsiCo, the parent company that owns Walkers, confirmed to the BBC that the crisps were discontinued as business owners look to evolve their portfolio with more popular flavours. "Smith's Tomato Snaps have had a great run and will always hold a special place in our history, but evolving our portfolio allows us to focus on making more of the brands and flavours people love," a spokesperson told the outlet. They added: "We know that fans of Snaps will be sad to see them go, and we'd like to thank them for giving the brand their support over the years." Known for pub snacks, including Smith’s bacon fries, it’s understood the rest of the Smith’s flavours haven’t been impacted by the latest move. It’s understood that the decision was confirmed in mid-October, with the final batches of the product gradually being eased out of shops and retail spaces. It’s unclear exactly how long the phase-out will continue, as the crisps are still available to buy on Amazon UK, where more than 10,000 recent purchases have been made. Made at Walkers’ Lincoln factory, Spicy Tomato Snaps are identifiable by their square shape and curled-up edges, as well as zesty tomato flavour. The news has garnered a mixed response from crisp fans, with Reddit users reflecting on the legacy of the now-discontinued snacks. “I would have bought more if they were ever stocked in shops,” one profile lamented. “The only 'spicy' crisps I can eat. They have a distinctive crunch and flavour, and they should keep them,” wrote another. A third added: “A bad day to be a leisure centre vending machine circa 1993.” The news comes just weeks after Walkers also axed another two flavours of crisps, in a broader shakeup of their snack portfolio. In October, it was announced that the Max Texan BBQ and Pepperoni Feast flavours were quietly pulled from shop floors, causing frustration among some snackers. “We recently said goodbye to our two Pizza Hut Walkers MAX Flavours, Texan BBQ and Pepperoni Feast,” then responded to the queries of Walkers fans online. “Continuously evolving our portfolio allows us to create more exciting flavours for our crisp fans, like our recently launched limited-edition Walkers MAX German Doner Kebab flavours,” the quote added. Although the crisp manufacturers, famed for everything from Wotsits to Doritos, have cut a number of snacks recently, they have also added some for customers to try out. For a limited time in October, customers could try both Emmental Cheese and Beef Wellington flavoured crisps, as well as Sticky Teriyaki and Masala Chicken.
