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Hedgehog Flavoured Crisps

In the UK in 1981, Hedgehog Foods Ltd decided, as a joke, to produce Hedgehog flavoured crisps (potato chips). To everyone's surprise, the crisps were a huge success.

Hedgehog flavoured crisps were actually flavoured with pork fat and no hedgehogs were used in the manufacturing process. Consequently, it wasn't long before Hedgehog Foods Ltd was in court (1982), up against the Office of Fair Trading, on a charge of false advertising.

Bizarrely, a settlement was finally reached when Mr Lewis, of Hedgehog Foods, interviewed gypsies who actually did eat baked hedgehogs, to ascertain the flavour of hedgehogs. Mr Lewis then commissioned a flavourings firm to duplicate the flavour as closely as possible and changed the labels from "hedgehog flavoured" to "hedgehog flavour" and all interests were satisfied!


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Do You Remember Hedgehog Flavoured Crisps?

Do You Remember Hedgehog Flavoured Crisps?

  • Anonymous user
    on
    I used to deliver them in the 80's to Welshpool and Sainsbury's amongst others for Bensons crisps who were the manufacturers on behalf of Hedgehog foods. Not the best tasting crisp in the world
  • Anonymous user
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    Of course I remember them. Philip lewis is my uncle. I loved all of the flavours..yoghurt & cucumber were my favourite tho..
    • Anonymous user
      on
      Hi Mark, this is James McCarthy at WalesOnline? Could you call me on 02920 243 625? It's about Hedgehog Crisps. Thank you!
  • Anonymous user
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    Ooo yes.. Invented in Welshpool by (then) pub owner Phil Lewis. Remember doing the factory tour in school.. Oh how we miss them
  • Anonymous user
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    I seem to remember a buzzaround these when I was in Cubs around 1985.
  • Anonymous user
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    My daughter has just been having a row with her friends about the existence of these and obviously won!!!!
  • GregJames
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    Yes I remember these well, I collected all of the tokens too to send off for membership to the Hedgehog Trust of something.
  • Anonymous user
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    I was born in 1987 and I remember buying them in Sainsburys when I was little, I loved them!
  • Anonymous user
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    I was born in 1987 and I remember buying them in Sainsburys when I was little, I loved them!
  • Anonymous user
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    The company that made the crisps was called Hedgehog and the crisps were 'flavoured crisps' they were basically a clever marketing trick and tasted of pepper and spice. They failed to make an impact and after about 2 years they went under never to be seen again. Not such a clever marketing trick as most people couldn't stomach the thought me eating hedgehog.
  • Anonymous user
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    My friends sister used to love these crisps...they were horrrrriiiiiiidddd
    • Anonymous user
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      They were best when you'd have them down the pub along with some Death Cigarettes. Ah, the 80s...!