South Africans left salty after Lay’s discontinues salt and vinegar flavour

Social media has been buzzing since Lay’s South Africa announced that it had discontinued its Salt & Vinegar flavour crisps, Northglen News reports.

The news exploded after the chip brand responded to a twitter user @LailaManie saying, “unfortunately, Lay’s Salt & Vinegar flavour has been discontinued and will no longer be available in the market.”

Hi @LailaManie, unfortunately, Lay’s Salt & Vinegar Flavour has been discontinued and will no longer be available in the market. We however invite you to try our new Lay’s Sweet and Smoky American BBQ Flavour. We do hope you enjoy our other flavours from our range too. :)

— Lay's South Africa (@LaysSouthAfrica) February 3, 2020

Predictably, users were outraged by Lay’s decision, with one user pointing out the brand should make it up for public debate.

Some users also questioned why the brand had not made an official announcement, while another highlighted Lay’s lack of transparency with consumers, “it’s amazing how brands consider market options when launching a new product but have the nerve to discontinue products without informing or consulting consumers.”

Many people were devastated by the news.

https://twitter.com/nolu_thandorr/status/1227928705110028288?s=20

All South Africans are already having a really tough time dealing with all the ongoing shenanigans in our country and now you are just adding salt into our wound.

— Jason Jack (@JasonBJack) February 13, 2020

The other flavors are trash 😭😭😭😭 BRING BACK S&V

— Angie (@dukas_duks) February 11, 2020

#youaredefinetlySouthAfricanifyou get slightly upset that Lays discontinued their Salt and Vinegar chips 😁 pic.twitter.com/fuWkrsUTlX

— JFB (@feli1121) February 13, 2020

Another reason for people’s outrage is that they feel the Salt & Vinegar flavour is a staple in the Lay’s range of flavours and that other unpopular flavours should’ve been considered. Food brands make decisions and stick to them most and Lay’s aren’t the only ones to break our hearts by discontinuing a product without any fuss – who remembers Fanta Grape?

Other users saw an opportunity to troll:

Lays Salt and Vinegar chips, 2x 36g and 1x 125g available.. bidding starts at R250.. pic.twitter.com/dtaFwF1zmO

— RK (@SplurgePics) February 13, 2020

Selling this packet of salt and vinegar lays for R100k. This is currently a kanghet. Expires 12 APR 2020. @LaysSouthAfrica first come first serve non negotiable. pic.twitter.com/eaCHT8H86d

— DEANCPT (@dean_boer) February 11, 2020