Turkey Twizzlers
The School-Canteen Product Targeted in Jamie’s School Dinners
Forgotten Food & Drinks · 1997–2005
Archived on
Associated With
Bernard Matthews Foods - food brand
Defining Feature
Spiral-shaped processed turkey product associated with British school dinners
Status
Discontinued - Original product withdrawn in 2005; reformulated version launched in 2020
Overview
Bernard Matthews’ spiral-shaped Turkey Twizzlers became a familiar sight in British school canteens.
Launched in 1997, the processed product was served in school canteens. It was reformulated in 2003 to use turkey rather than the earlier mixture of turkey and pork.
Turkey Twizzlers became a prominent target of Jamie’s School Dinners in 2005 and were discontinued that year. Bernard Matthews relaunched them in 2020 with a new recipe that the company marketed as healthier.
Why It Mattered
Turkey Twizzlers became a recognisable symbol in the argument over school meals. Jamie’s School Dinners used the spiral snack to question processed food, catering budgets and nutrition, while catering companies stopped buying it.
Launch and Original Product
- Bernard Matthews launched Turkey Twizzlers in 1997.
- Their spiral shape made them recognisable among the processed foods served in British school canteens.
- The product was reformulated in 2003 to use turkey meat instead of the earlier combination of turkey and pork.
The School-Dinner Controversy
- Turkey Twizzlers became a prominent target of Jamie’s School Dinners in 2005, illustrating concerns about processed food, school-meal budgets and children’s nutrition.
- Several catering companies stopped buying the product, according to The Guardian’s timeline of Bernard Matthews.
- Turkey Twizzlers were cited in Parliament during debate about food education and healthier school meals.
- Bernard Matthews discontinued the original product in 2005.
The 2020 Return
- Bernard Matthews relaunched Turkey Twizzlers in August 2020, fifteen years after the original product disappeared.
- Bernard Matthews promoted the reformulated version as healthier, according to the contemporary relaunch report.
- It was initially released in Original Tangy Tomato and Chilli Cheese flavours.
Sources & Records
- The Guardian — Bernard Matthews Company Timeline — Traces the original product’s launch, ingredient changes and withdrawal.
- Poultry News — Turkey Twizzlers Relaunched by Bernard Matthews — Reports the 2020 return and flavours; nutritional claims are attributed to the manufacturer.
- House of Commons — Children’s Food Bill Debate — Records the product’s appearance in the 2005 school-food debate.
- The School Food Plan — Places the school-dinner controversy in the wider nutrition campaign.
Gallery
Credit
Bernard Matthews packaging artwork; product photograph reproduced by GoodtoKnow; photographer unidentified
Licence
Historical Ephemera
Displayed for commentary, criticism, research and historical documentation where permitted by applicable law. No permission for reuse is granted.
Caption
Original red-and-purple Tasty Twizzlers packaging, with a November 2005 best-before date printed on the front.