Popular brand drops Aussie staple from offerings

A popular brand has revealed it has ditched one product from it’s offering — and fans aren’t happy with the news.

A popular brand has revealed it ditched one product from it’s offering — and fans aren’t happy with the news.

Sanitarium Health Food Company revealed production of its peanut butter has ended. This is due to “declining customer demand”.

“After careful consideration and analysis, Sanitarium ... made the decision earlier this year to cease production of its peanut butter range due to declining customer demand and growth of other favourites. Production ended in late July,” a spokesperson from the brand told news.com.au.

Sanitarium Peanut Butter has been discontinued. Picture: Supplied

“Our people have proudly produced every jar made and we thank all our loyal consumers over the last 100 years for loving our quality range of peanut butters.

“Sanitarium understands that this may be sad news to some consumers, and we sincerely apologise for any disappointment caused.”

Fans started to speculate something was up earlier this year.

“Seeking any extra light on the disappearance of all forms of Sanitarium peanut butter from usual outlets,” one social media user posted to Reddit.

One social media user added: “In the past, I have observed that all of a given product will disappear for a while and then reappear as a changed product — different packaging, changed ingredients. Usually they make it worse, not better.”

“Sanitarium is my favourite. Ripped off,” another said.

Production ceased in July. Picture: istock

It’s not the first time the brand has removed productions from circulation. In March, it announced it was ceasing production of cereals such as Weet-Bix Clusters and Weeties in New Zealand. Production would halt by 2025.

Last month it was confirmed Sanitarium, which is owned by Seventh Day Adventist church, could buy out its arch rival — Uncle Toby’s Vita Brits.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission it wouldn’t oppose Sanitarium buying out Weet-Bix’s arch rival. This was because Australians “don’t typically switch between the two”.

“We tested the closeness of competition between the Weet-Bix and Vita Brits products and found that consumers do not typically switch between the two,” Philip Williams, the ACCC commissioner, said.

“This finding was consistent with the feedback we received from market inquiries.

“We found that the proposed acquisition would not be likely to substantially lessen competition.”