Arnott’s Biscuit Bombshell: Aussies Stunned by Secret State-by-State Snack Rations
- Arnott’s Yo-Yo biscuits are only sold in South Australia due to their historic roots
- Other popular biscuits like Jatz and Ginger Nut have different recipes and availability across states
- Angry Aussies claim Arnott’s is ‘gatekeeping’ snacks by state
In a shocking revelation that’s left many Aussies reeling, it’s been discovered that Arnott’s biscuits are being rationed out on a state-by-state basis. The bombshell dropped when content creator Brooke Leo shared a video on TikTok, revealing that her favourite Yo-Yo biscuits are only available in South Australia.
‘To all the people that live in Adelaide, I have a shocking fact to tell you,’ she said, her voice laced with a mix of excitement and outrage. ‘You know Yo-Yo biscuits? They don’t sell them anywhere else in Australia.’
Yo-Yo biscuits were first made in South Australia by W. Menz & Co in 1932, and named after the yo-yo toy. In 1962, the company’s biscuit arm was sold to Arnott’s, and by 1979, Arnott’s was making them. But while many Arnott’s biscuits are available across Australia, the Yo-Yo isn’t one of them, made exclusively for the state of its roots.
‘The Yo-Yo biscuit is a very nostalgic bikkie to many South Australians, with Arnott’s supporting this deeply-entrenched love since the biscuit joined The Arnott’s Group in the 1960s,’ an Arnott’s spokesperson told news.com.au.
But for people like Brooke, who moved to Queensland in 2021, the discovery is a bitter pill to swallow. ‘I was looking all over the shelves for Yo-Yo biscuits, they just weren’t there,’ she said. ‘They’re only in Adelaide. So consider yourself lucky. Don’t move anywhere else if you love them – just stay in Adelaide.’
Commenters on the post were just as shocked by the realisation, with one person calling out Arnott’s for ‘gatekeeping’ snacks by state. But it seems Brooke isn’t the only one who’s looked for their favourite Arnott’s bikkie interstate, only to realise that it’s nowhere to be found.
It turns out that different versions of Arnott’s biscuits are sold in different states. Jatz, for example, has an entirely different name and recipe in certain states. And Ginger Nut biscuits differ across the country, with four different varieties found across NSW, VIC, SA, and QLD.
‘In the 1960s, numerous biscuit companies across Australia produced Ginger Nut biscuits, which later merged under the Arnott’s banner,’ an Arnott’s spokesperson said. ‘Despite Arnott’s attempt to standardise the Ginger Nut recipe into one, the NSW Ginger Nut, and distribute it nationally, each state was very passionate about the gingernut recipe they cherished growing up.’
For those living in towns on the border, there’s a glimmer of hope. ‘For those towns on the border, such as Albury-Wodonga or Tweed Heads, there is the occasional crossover of biscuits; we’ve even heard of some consumers taking their own state’s version when travelling interstate to ensure they get their hometown favourite,’ Arnott’s shared.
So, the next time you’re browsing the biscuit aisle, remember: you might not be getting the same snack as your mates in other states. And if you’re a Yo-Yo fan, you might just have to make the trek to South Australia to get your fix.