Skips (snack)

Skips are a snack from the United Kingdom and Ireland; which were first launched in 1974 in prawn cocktail flavour.

Skips
Product typeTapioca (UK) and Maize (ROI)
OwnerKP Snacks
CountryUnited Kingdom
Introduced1974
MarketsUnited Kingdom, Ireland
WebsiteOfficial website

Skips are similar to Chinese prawn crackers, although they are smaller and have a finer texture that makes them fizz and melt on the tongue.[1][2] The snacks are made by KP Snacks under license of the German snack food company Intersnack. [3] In the United Kingdom, they are made with tapioca starch and in Ireland with potato starch. Packets of Skips often have jokes or tongue twisters written on the back, which are aimed at children. Other flavours, such as pickled onion, Caribbean Spice curry (teal blue bag), Hot from Rio chilli (orange bag), Chinese spare rib (purple bag), a limited edition ReBoot Dots Doughnut (pink bag) and a ReBoot pizza flavour, Sweetcorn Relish (1985,[4] yellow bag[5] and Sweet'n'Sour [6] have been available in the past. In 2002, KP launched 2 new variations of Skips intended to offer a 'unique taste sensation'. Buzz Boltz featured a 'crunch-melt' experience and Tickle Pickle delivered a 'puff-melt' sensation.[7] Both have since been discontinued.

Since early 2006, Skips have seen a 30% reduction in saturated fat and a 10% reduction in sodium and are made with 100% sunflower oil. Skips contain no artificial colours or flavourings.[8][9]

In 2012, the brand and KP Snacks was sold by United biscuits to German company Intersnack.[10]

In the Republic of Ireland, Skips are sold under the Tayto brand, which is also owned by Intersnack.[11]

Sponsorship and TV adverts

The children's theme has been extended in previous years with the sponsorship of Dragon's Fury, a popular attraction at Chessington World Of Adventures.[12]

Ex-EastEnders actress Daniela Denby-Ashe, who played Sarah Hills in the show and Janey Harper in My Family, appeared in a Skips advert as a teenager.[13] Also in the 1980s, wrestler Giant Haystacks appeared in a TV advert for Skips, with the closing line "Dainty aren't they?".

Action Biker, a mid-1980s budget computer game from Mastertronic, featured the Clumsy Colin character from the then-current Skips adverts, as well as KP Skips branding on the case artwork.[14]

See also

References

  1. "Skips". United ~Biscuits. Retrieved 15 April 2011.
  2. https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuys/sunday-26th-january/product-detail/ps/p/skips-salt-vinegar-1/
  3. Company, Diamond Lead (1983). "Diamond's Economic Journal Industria, Volume 13". Diamond's Economic Journal Industria. 13: 26 via Google Books.
  4. KP Foods Ltd (July 1985). "Catch a free packet of KP Skips". Smash Hits. p. 64 via Internet Archive.
  5. "Did Skips ever come in a Sweetcorn & Relish flavour?".
  6. "A Brief History of Crisps: do us a flavour - Saga". www.saga.co.uk. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  7. "KP puts £4m into 'taste sensation' Skips products". www.campaignlive.co.uk. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  8. "UBUK reveals portfolio overhaul for 2006". Talking Retail. 21 December 2005. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
  9. "Skips Prawn Cocktail 6x13.1g". www.sainsburys.co.uk. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  10. "KP Nuts sold to German company". 5 December 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
  11. "Tayto Snack Brands". www.taytosnacks.ie. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  12. "Here Comes The Fury: A Trip Report". Theme Park Insider. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
  13. McVities Skips Crisps Advert Rugrats 1996, retrieved 19 August 2019
  14. "Action Biker (Action)". ataricave.com. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
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