Capri Sun faces backlash over controversial packaging change: ‘One of the most shocking product changes in history’
This is juicy news.
Anyone in elementary school during or before the early aughts will recall the thrill of punching the straw through the Capri Sun juice pouch — a cafeteria classic that may soon become obsolete.
Capri Sun reportedly has plans for a controversial revamp of its hallmark pouches, which will soon be replaced with bottles and marketed to adults.
Snackolater, a popular Instagram page distributing food news, announced the changes to the Capri Sun juices, which will supposedly be available in three bottled flavors, Fruit Punch, Strawberry Kiwi and Pacific Cooler.
The changes would be announced at the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) 2024 Show in Las Vegas from Oct. 7 to 10, according to Snackolater.
However, when contacted by The Post, Kraft Heinz Company clarified that the pouches were not going anywhere.
“After seeing fans’ panic to the news, the brand behind the No. 1 kids’ drink in America is reassuring everyone that the pouch is here to stay in a truly epic way,” the company said in a statement to The Post. “Rolling out exclusively at Walmart next week, Capri Sun is launching a pallet of 3,800+ Capri Sun pouches for purchase, ensuring no one misses out on their fave drink.
“Fans can follow @caprisun on Instagram and @caprisun_usa on TikTok to find out how they can get their hands on the goods.”
Snackolater had sparked a torrent of clapbacks with its initial post.
“Each bottle is 12oz and won’t need you to have to find the spot to poke the straw in and hope that it doesn’t come shooting back at you!” Snackolater wrote on Instagram. “Are you excited for these?”
The resounding answer? No.
“Won’t be the same without the straw! Whose idea was this,” demanded one commenter.
“You can’t blow these up and stomp on them for fun for them to make a popping sound,” lamented another.
“I just cried,” someone else wrote, while a rare few rejoiced in no longer needing to battle with the straw opening.
And on X, formerly Twitter, one critic chimed in: “I feel like it’s not an exaggeration to say this is one of the most shocking product changes in the history of food & beverage.”
The Kraft Heinz Company-owned brand recently revealed that they would be offering giant jugs of juice for their nostalgic consumers — the “first innovation in nearly a decade.”
“With this larger format, everyone, including kids at heart, can bring a piece of their epic childhood to parties, summer gatherings and even dinnertime at home,” Capri Sun’s senior brand manager Jordan Mann said in a statement at the time.
“We’re now able to delight those fans that grew up on Capri Sun with an offering that suits their needs. They’ve outgrown the serving size of the pouch, but not their love for Capri Sun.”
However, the company hasn’t yet officially confirmed the rumored 12-ounce bottle revamp.
The Post has reached out to Kraft Heinz for comment.
