Buckingham, UK – December 4, 2019
The exterior of a Lidl supermarket store is shown, with a woman shopper outside the entrance. Recently, Lidl shoppers have expressed their dismay after the popular fizzy fermented drink, kombucha, was discontinued. Customers were left feeling disappointed when the German retailer, which operates over 960 branches across the UK, confirmed the discontinuation of its Solevita organic kombucha, particularly the ginger raspberry flavor.
Lidl has seen a surge in popularity in recent years, and the news of the kombucha’s removal has left many fans in despair. One particularly disgruntled customer, Abbey Proctor, took to social media platform X to voice her frustrations, stating, “Why has the kombucha been discontinued? It was sooo good! We need it back!” In response, Lidl acknowledged her concern, saying, “Hey! Sorry about this. What store do you shop at, and we will pass this on to see if we can get it back to you?”
Abbey replied that she frequents the Sheffield Road store in Chesterfield and the nearby Chatsworth Road location, but staff at both stores informed her that the product had indeed been discontinued. Lidl later confirmed the unfortunate news, with a representative stating through the @LidlGB account, “The item is discontinued at the moment, but we will pass your interest in this product onto our Buying Team to see if we can get it back ASAP.”
Fans of the kombucha had previously lauded the drink, describing it as packing a “pungent” punch in a positive way, while also appreciating its “good value” and its distinctly “kombucha-ery” flavor. This recent blow to Lidl enthusiasts follows a series of frustrations last year when other beloved products were also removed from the shelves.
- Lidl’s Cronuts, which had received rave reviews and were branded “amazing” by numerous shoppers, faced a similar fate when they disappeared from stores last August.
- Shoppers were equally disheartened by the discontinuation of the Elderflower Mexican Lime drink, which many claimed was the perfect pairing for summery spirits.
Kombucha, known for its rich content of bacteria and probiotics, is often celebrated for its health benefits, particularly in supporting gut health and enhancing digestive and immune functions. Some studies have even linked it to improved mental health. Celebrities like Kourtney Kardashian have embraced this drink, suggesting a cheeky splash of tequila for an adult twist on the classic. Furthermore, it has been suggested that kombucha can aid in “blasting fat stores” and can put the body in a fasted state, even after a meal. A small study indicated that this fizzy fermented beverage might help lower blood sugar levels for diabetics. Other potential benefits of kombucha include cholesterol management and addressing vitamin deficiencies, particularly B12, which many Brits are known to lack. With more than five million people in the UK living with type 2 diabetes, the drink’s health claims resonate with many.
Why Are Products Discontinued or Recipes Altered?
ANALYSIS by Chief Consumer Reporter James Flanders:
Food and beverage manufacturers frequently adjust their recipes or discontinue products altogether, often citing the evolving tastes of consumers. There are several factors that could contribute to these changes:
- Government regulations, such as the “sugar tax,”strong> which compel companies to revise their recipes.
- Manufacturers might opt to alter ingredients to reduce production costs, selecting cheaper alternatives, especially in times of rising expenses, to maintain stable pricing.
A notable example includes the disappearance of Tango Cherry from the shelves in 2018, which has recently made a comeback after six years, albeit in a sugar-free variant. Fanta also removed sweetener from its sugar-free options earlier this year. Additionally, Suntory modified the flavor profile of its flagship Lucozade Original and Orange energy drinks; while the sugar content has remained the same, the sweetener aspartame was replaced with sucralose.