**Weetabix Confirms Discontinuation of Popular Alpen Cereal Bars, Leaving Shoppers Disappointed**
Breakfast routines across the UK have taken a sudden turn, as it has emerged that Weetabix has ended production of its much-loved Alpen cereal bars. This change, executed with very little publicity, has left frequent buyers shocked and searching supermarket shelves in vain for their morning staple.
For years, Alpen cereal bars have been a go-to solution for those seeking a quick, convenient, and lower-calorie breakfast or snack. Typically crafted from nourishing muesli and finished with either a layer of yoghurt or chocolate, the bars have become a fixture in lunchboxes, work bags, and pre-gym rituals. Their absence has now been noticed by many, sparking reactions across social media and shopper forums.
The decision to discontinue the Alpen bars was taken in 2024, according to reports circulating online. In a statement provided to the media, a spokesperson for Weetabix explained, “As part of our focus on long term growth and simplifying the business, we made the decision to discontinue Alpen bars in 2024. This change enabled us to redeploy our teams toward our most valuable products, supporting the continued growth of our core operations.”
Some fans have only lately clocked the disappearance, only to discover the official confirmation when reaching out directly to the manufacturer. On Reddit, one shopper described having emailed Alpen’s parent company for clarity, receiving a reply that confirmed the end of the product line. The online post triggered a wave of comments from others who shared their own reliance on the bars for a healthy and tasty snack. The news was doubly disappointing to many, as it was clarified that the move encompasses both the regular and “Alpen Light” ranges, meaning there are currently no Alpen bar options available on the market.
Commentary online has highlighted both disappointment and nostalgia. One Reddit user lamented, “They’re the only reasonably priced, kind of healthy and tasty bars I liked.” Another recounted their morning routine: “My early morning, pre-swim ritual for the past five years has been a coffee and Alpen bar (strawberry yoghurt my personal favourite), and I have been searching for these for weeks since they disappeared off the shelves.”
It appears this change is part of a wider trend in the food industry, where brands are increasingly focusing resources on their most successful and scalable products. Weetabix reinforced their commitment to “great-tasting, nutritious products” in their statement, assuring loyal customers that they are redirecting their efforts into their core lines. The company also noted that most affected employees have chosen to remain with Weetabix, keen to contribute to its ongoing success.
The discontinuation seems to have even sparked a bit of humour among affected buyers, with one commenter musing, “Maybe Jet2 will start including something a little nicer with the meals on flights before 10am now. Post 10am get cheese, crackers and a chocolate dessert; before 10am get an Alpen bar.” This tongue-in-cheek remark reflects the widespread recognition of Alpen bars as a frequent breakfast item, even in unexpected settings like aeroplane catering.
For now, supermarket aisles remain conspicuously short on Alpen cereal bars, pushing long-time fans to seek alternative breakfast and snack options. While some have begun experimenting with rival products or homemade alternatives, others remain hopeful that public outcry might prompt a rethink from Weetabix in the future.
This episode serves as a reminder of how even modest changes in supermarket offerings can have a notable impact on daily habits for many Britons. With changing times and evolving business priorities, shoppers are increasingly reminded to expect the unexpected—even in the breakfast aisle.
Weetabix has yet to announce any replacement plans or alternatives for the beloved Alpen bar. In the meantime, the disappearance of this staple is a stark example of the shifting product landscape in UK supermarkets, offering both a lesson in corporate strategy and a test of consumer loyalty.