Aldi in Australia do ‘British week’ — but Brits say one item is ‘criminal’

‘I mean, you can’t even get these items at Aldi in England,’ commented disgruntled Brit Natalie Robson.

She was annoyed because Aldi stores in Australia run a ‘Best of British’ Special Buys range, where they stock classic UK staples in-store.

The British TikToker, who moved to Sydney, shared a video of the treats available in the middle aisle – some of which commenters said they’ve never seen in their local UK Aldi store.

Her video amassed more than 800,000 views, with people clamouring to get their hands on the lineup of snacks.

She admitted she spent the equivalent of £25 on the British goodies which included Pot Noodle, Squashies, Smith’s prawn cocktail crisps, HP Sauce, Orange Clubs, Galaxy, Tunnock’s Tea Cakes and Caramel Wafers and, of course, Bisto.

Other treats on offer included Irn-Bru, McVittie’s Digestives and Rich Tea biscuits, Worcestershire Sauce, Rolos and M&Ms.

The beloved Scottish treats that made the cut

Irn-Bru is a classic Scottish beverage which has many Scots hooked. In fact, Glasgow-born Carole Lamond, 60, made headlines back in 2022 after she had to go to a hypnotist to kick her 25-year-long Irn-Bru addiction.

She would down 20 cans a day, and lockdown saw her drink 15,000 cans, meaning she consumed 94,000g of sugar and 450,000mg of caffeine, and spent £60 a week on 24 packs.

There’s also a big UK obsession with Tea Cakes, and a craze last year saw Brits putting the chocolate-marshmallow treat in the freezer for a ‘top tier’ eating experience.

The ‘Best of British’ picks that had shoppers howling

In another video, stocked next to the Irn-Bru and below the Colman’s Mint Sauce, sat tins of Batchelors Mushy Peas and Fray Bentos Steak & Kidney Pie.

TikToker Rachel Houraghan captioned the video: ‘Run don’t walk to Aldi for your British & Irish treats’.

But the selection on offer tickled some Brits, with one saying: ‘They really did the Aussies dirty sending them Fray Bentos pies.’

Owned by Baxters which first opened in 1869, the pies have become a British staple, and many were quick to defend the ready-made savoury pastries.

‘Omg I love Frey bentos!,’ wrote @stephhuqylam, while another added: ‘No slander. They’re so good.’

The price did make people gawk though, with TikToker Elisia Carter commenting: ‘$9.99 [£4.79] for a Frey Bentos pie when they’re £2 at home is criminal.’

‘Mushy peas being a British speciality has sent me,’ said another.

Smith’s Crisps

The inclusion of Smith’s Crisps was one that caused some confusion in the comments.

‘Smith’s crisps? Have not seen them here in the UK for years,’ said @Rugby1970.

Others claimed ‘The smiths aren’t ours’ and wondered ‘What on earth’ they were.

But while the name might not be immediately familiar, you will recognise their beloved products. Chipsticks and Frazzles are both Smith’s, as were Quavers and Monster Munch – although the latter two were acquired by Walkers.

Let’s not forget Bacon Fries and Scampi Fries either. Yum.

In fact, Smith’s Crisps was Britain’s first crisps manufacturer, with the company setting up shop in a garage in Cricklewood in 1920. By 1934 it produced 90% of the UK’s crisps – pushing out 10 million packets a week.

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