Packed lunches in the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s often held a mix of crisps, chocolate, and drinks that made lunchtimes something to look forward to.
Many of these once-popular treats have since faded from school lunchboxes, replaced by healthier or more practical options. For many, these snacks are now fond memories of playground swaps and after-school favourites.
This article is for nostalgic and general information purposes only. Product availability varies, and many of these treats were reformulated or discontinued due to changing health standards and consumer demand.
Photos used are for illustrative purposes only and actual packaging or appearance may differ.
1. Salt 'n' Shake
These crisps stood out by giving you control of the seasoning. Each bag came with a small blue sachet of salt that you’d pour in and shake to coat the plain crisps. Some added all of it for maximum flavour, while others saved extra packets for later.
Although Walkers still produces them, they are now a rare sight in school lunchboxes, partly due to today’s focus on reducing salt in children’s diets.
2. Nik Naks
Known for their irregular shapes and bold flavours, Nik Naks were once a lunchbox favourite. Nice ’n’ Spicy became legendary for its orange coating, while Scampi ’n’ Lemon divided opinion with its strong flavour.
The brand still exists but is less common today, with schools discouraging heavily seasoned snacks as part of healthier eating policies.
3. Findus Crispy Pancakes
These breaded pancakes with molten fillings such as cheese or beef were more often a teatime meal but occasionally made their way into packed lunches wrapped in foil. Their crunchy exterior and piping hot centres made them memorable.
Now produced under the Birdseye brand as “Original Crispy Pancakes,” they’ve largely disappeared from lunchboxes as cold lunches have become the norm.
4. Trio
The chocolate, toffee, and biscuit combination made Trio a popular sweet treat in the 80s and 90s. The catchy advert and chunky bar design helped cement its place in playground culture.
Trio was discontinued in 2003, and although modern alternatives exist, many still miss its distinctive three-layered format.
5. Choc-Dips
These packs contained biscuit sticks with a pot of chocolate spread for dipping, offering both a snack and a bit of fun. Children often ended up scraping the pot clean after the sticks ran out.
Similar products can still be found, but they are less common in today’s school lunchboxes due to stricter rules around chocolate-based snacks.
6. Cartoonies
Launched in the late 90s, these biscuits featured cartoon faces stamped into them with a soft chocolate centre. Collectable and playful, they quickly became popular among children.
They were discontinued around 2010, marking the end of an era when giving food products a “character” was a key selling point for children’s snacks.
7. Panda Pops
These brightly coloured fizzy drinks were an affordable favourite, sold in plastic bottles with a panda logo. Flavours like blue raspberry left lasting tongue stains and were often the highlight of lunch breaks.
Production ended in 2011 amid concerns over sugar content and artificial ingredients, making them a nostalgic memory rather than a lunchbox staple.
8. Strawberry Ribena (Original Recipe)
Strawberry Ribena cartons with attached straws felt like a premium option in the 90s. The classic recipe was especially popular for its sweetness and fruity flavour.
In 2018, Ribena was reformulated with less sugar and artificial sweeteners. While still available, the taste differs from the original version that many remember fondly.
