Ice cream-lovers outraged as Tip Top discontinues Goody Goody Gumdrops and Cookies and Cream

Tip Top has discontinued two of its most popular flavours, the 2-litre tubs of Cookies and Cream and Goody Goody Gumdrops, causing outrage among Kiwis online.

An employee for supermarket operator Foodstuffs, which owns Pak’nSave, New World and Four Square, confirmed that the tub range of ice cream had been discontinued by the supplier.

The reason for withdrawing the products has been blamed on “significant cost pressures” on milk and cream, head of Tip Top Ben Schurr told 1News in a statement.

People have taken to social media to voice their displeasure at the decision, some calling for other flavours to be dropped instead.

One reader said on social media: “Hey, everyone!....I realise that we all have different views on a number of issues; but we need to put those differences aside and unite to act against this injustice.”

Another was glad their favourite flavour wasn’t cancelled: “Thank goodness it’s not orange chocolate chip!”

Added another reader: “Phew...I’d die if it was hokey pokey.”

One sad fan said: “Goody goody gumdrop is an NZ icon, a childhood right of passage! Such a shame for our children and future generations.”

One said summer is cancelled this year because of the loss.

Many ice cream fans, however, noted that rival brands still sold the discontinued flavours and vowed to look elsewhere for their fix.

The move has perplexed some given Cookies and Cream took out the Kids’ Choice Award at the New Zealand Ice Cream and Gelato Awards last month.

Cookies and Cream was voted New Zealanders’ third-favourite ice cream flavour in a survey for the Weekend Herald in 2010. Goody Goody Gumdrops trailed in sixth place in the survey.

Dairy owners told the Weekend Herald at the time Cookies and Cream was a favourite and was requested mainly by children, teenagers and young adults.

In the aftermath of the news, social media users have vowed to start buying other brands’ similar flavours.

This article was first published by the NZ Herald and is republished here with permission.