KEY POINTS:
Cadbury-Schweppes is not going to get away easily with axing iconic New Zealand sweets.
A group calling itself the Sugar Liberation Army plans to protest tomorrow outside the company's Dunedin premises to protest the chopping of Snifters, Sparkles and Tangy Fruits, favourites of movie-goers for decades.
The company, which owns the Pascall brand, said last month the sweets were being dropped because of lack of consumer demand and sales had "decreased significantly".
But concerned Dunedin resident Leigh Paterson describes the move as ridiculous and, out of desperation, has formed the SLA to take action.
"I always thought I would protest something like cheese prices, but this is just ridiculous," she said today.
"Someone has to stand up to Cadbury's and tell them the way they are hacking at the childhoods of thousands is atrocious."
Ms Paterson said passing the axing off as a public health measure to combat child obesity and cavity rates was "blatant pandering to the current mode of nanny state regulation and interference that is plaguing the country".
She said the products were all melamine-free.
"Operation Tang Protest" will take place at 5.30pm tomorrow outside Cadbury's premises in Cumberland Street, Dunedin.
"In a world of financial uncertainty and economic crisis, we turn to nostalgia for small comforts," Ms Paterson said.
"Cadbury-Schweppes Pty Ltd is denying everyday New Zealanders the sweet, confectionary nostalgia of their forefathers."
- NZPA
