Heinz axes popular diet meal range leaving customers gutted
HEINZ has axed a popular diet meal range leaving customers gutted.
Its Weight Watchers frozen meal range has now been axed from stores.
The dishes, which came in a range of flavours such as Sweet and Sour chicken and curry, were designed to be low in calories to help those on a diet stick to their plan.
Its range with the weight loss and fitness group has been sold on supermarket shelves for decades and cost around £2.50.
Eagle-eyed customers took to social media to find out where the product had gone.
Writing on X, formerly Twitter, one user said: "Hi can you advise whether frozen weight watchers meals are discontinued, particularly sweet and Sour Chicken and Chicken and Broccoli melt."
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Representatives from Heinz told The Sun the range is no more, and said they were aware the move would leave fans "disappointed".
They said: “We’ve taken the strategic decision to streamline our UK portfolio which includes discontinuing our frozen line with Weight Watchers.
"This change will enable us to focus on the product lines that deliver the most value for our customers and pave the way for new innovation that meets changing consumer tastes, lifestyle needs and preferences.”
It will come as a blow to many shoppers of the range, who in the past have described the dishes as "tasty" and "very satisfying".
One loyal customer said: "I love these meals; I find the portion just right, and they taste great.
"I highly recommend them if you're watching your weight. They're very satisfying."
It follows a move in September by the brand to discontinue its Weight Watchers tinned beans.
Heinz is still selling Weight Watcher tinned soups, which are also low calorie and cost £1.20 in most supermarkets.
It comes just weeks after Heinz confirmed it axed another popular product from shelves.
The condiment maker confirmed to fans that it had gotten rid of its Tomato and Lentil Ragu sauce.
Last month it also axed its popular tinned curry beans , leaving customers distraught.
One heartbroken fan said: "This is a terrible decision they were literally the best flavour you sold."
Other discontinued Heinz products
It is not the first time Heinz has axed popular products.
Last summer the brand confined its easy-to-use spray salad dressings had been discontinued.
The range was launched in 2020 with four flavours including chilli and lime, raspberry balsamic, zesty lemon, and balsamic with a hint of garlic.
The condiments were promoted as only having one or two calories per spritz and were available in major supermarkets.
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At the time, foodie fanatics described the range as a "game changer," and others described them as "lovely."
Heinz also confirmed last year that it discontinued the Piccalilli Pickle condiment and tins of its organic baked beans.
Why are products axed or recipes changed?
ANALYSIS by chief consumer reporter James Flanders.
Food and drinks makers have been known to tweak their recipes or axe items altogether.
They often say that this is down to the changing tastes of customers.
There are several reasons why this could be done.
For example, government regulation, like the "sugar tax," forces firms to change their recipes.
Some manufacturers might choose to tweak ingredients to cut costs.
They may opt for a cheaper alternative, especially when costs are rising to keep prices stable.
For example, Tango Cherry disappeared from shelves in 2018.
It has recently returned after six years away but as a sugar-free version.
Fanta removed sweetener from its sugar-free alternative earlier this year.
Suntory tweaked the flavour of its flagship Lucozade Original and Orange energy drinks.
While the amount of sugar in every bottle remains unchanged, the supplier swapped out the sweetener aspartame for sucralose.