Do you remember Panda Pops? These small bottles of fluorescent fizzy drinks were a staple of school discos in the 1980’s. They were cheap and cheerful soft drinks full of lots of ingredients (they were very sweet and sugary) that probably wouldn’t see the light of day today.
What Were Panda Pops?
Panda Pops were of course small bottles of fizzy drink that came in four flavours. The bottles of drink were slightly smaller than a standard 330ml can of drink.
They were a cheaper option to Coke and Pepsi and never did taste anything like its mainstream competitors. However, they were very popular soft drinks with kids and parents especially back in the 1980’s and 1990s
The Flavours:
- Cola
- Cherry
- Lemonade
- Orange
We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
More Retro Sweet Treats:
How Much Did Panda Pops Costs
From my memory as a kid growing up in the 1980’s the fizzy drinks would cost 10p a bottle with a higher end price of 20p. The low price made them an ideal treat for kids looking to spend the little pocket money that had been given to them by their parents.
Can You Still Buy Panda Pops?
No sadly you cannot buy Panda Pops today. Nichols the manufacturer of the fizzy drinks discontinued panda pops in 2011 following concerns from mums throughout the UK and an outcry from health campaigners too. The popular fizzy drink did have a 35 year run though.
Probably the closest you might get to a Panda Pop is a Soda Stream Fizzy drink as you can still get Cola Syrups for them having had a look on Amazon.
The company stated that:
“Despite Panda Pops having healthier ingredients than many rivals, Panda recognised mums’ concerns and the impact of a fizzy drink in the portfolio on brand perception,” said brand manager James Nichols. “By removing Panda Pops, the wider Panda range can confidently promote the healthier credentials of its still juice drinks and flavoured waters, which contain no added sugar, artificial colours or flavours.”
Will Panda Pops Ever Make a Comeback?
Like many sweet and sugary drinks from days gone by Panda Pops in their fizzy drink form as we knew them will very unlikely return. As stated by Nichols in the statement above the Panda range of drinks has widened to more healthier kid friendly drinks that is better suited to today’s market and parents who are more aware and want to know what is going into their children’s drinks.
My Panda Pops Memories From the 1980’s
I can remember a small little shop (it was more of a shed really!) that was located right next to my primary school sold Panda Pops, snacks and other soft drinks. My mum would often treat me to one after school for the short walk back to our house.
I can also remember them always being available from the fish n chip van and you would always find them pretty much everywhere when you went on day trip to the seaside (I’m thinking Great Yarmouth, Hunstanton and Felixstowe). Like ice pops they were clearly cheap for traders to buy and still make a profit whilst still being very affordable for the customers too.
Fetes, funfairs and ice cream vans would always sell Panda Pops.
These Drinks Were Popular to the End
Even towards the end of their run the drinks were bringing sales of around £2.8m for Nichols. There was clearly still demand but time was running out in the early 2010’s for this type of sweet fizzy drink.
I’m not sure if I tried a Panda Pop fizzy drink today quite what I would think about it. I would probably find it way too sweet for my adult taste buds. Back in the 1980’s though I would have loved any flavour I could get my hands on. The quintessential tuck shop fizzy drink for a pocket money budget.
For more nostalgic memories take a look at these:
For more nostalgic memories from the 80’s and 90’s take a look at these articles below.
Do You Remember the Nestle Secret Chocolate Bar?
What Happened to Frosties Cola Sweets?
Do You Remember Mivvi Ice Creams?
Pacer Sweets – Do You Remember These Mints?
Thanks for stopping by and taking a look at Next Stop Nostalgia.
Darren
About The Author
