About Opal Fruits
Opal Fruits is the original UK name for the fruit-flavoured chewy sweets now known internationally as Starburst. The brand was introduced by Mars in the UK in autumn 1959, with the name "Opal Fruits" created by Peter Phillips (then known as Peter Pfeffer), who won £5 in a naming competition. The original four flavours - strawberry, lemon, orange, and lime - were produced at Mars' factory in Slough, Berkshire. In 1998, Mars rebranded Opal Fruits to Starburst in the UK and Ireland to standardise the product name globally. This change disappointed many British consumers who had grown up with the iconic Opal Fruits name and its memorable advertising jingle "Made to make your mouth water." After 22 years, Mars revived the Opal Fruits name in February 2020 for a limited edition run, featuring the four original flavours that older generations remembered fondly. The retro sweets sold out within weeks, demonstrating the power of nostalgia marketing. Due to overwhelming demand, Mars brought back Opal Fruits for additional limited runs in 2021 and 2024. The limited edition Opal Fruits products are typically available at value retailers including Poundland, B&M, Home Bargains, Iceland, Savers, Lidl, and The Range. The range has expanded to include ice lollies alongside the traditional chewy sweets, offering new ways to enjoy the classic flavours. Hannah Jackson, senior brand manager at Mars, noted that bringing back the original flavours "is sure to bring a smile to the faces of retro treat lovers across the nation," acknowledging the deep emotional connection British consumers have with the Opal Fruits brand.

