Ella Scott
A staple Pret A Manger menu item has officially been whisked off shelves, with the grab-and-go chain revealing exactly why stores across the country have been forced to wave goodbye.
If you’re on the hunt for a fresh, crunchy salad, a flaky pastry, or fancy a pick-me-up in the form of an iced oat vanilla latte, then Pret is likely to be your one-stop shop.
The British chain, founded in 1983, is famed for its moreish soups and sandwiches, tasty snacks, crumbly cookies and gooey cakes.
Others are likely to head into their local eatery to pick up a hot cappuccino and their favourite sandwich.
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But fans across the UK are set to be devastated as a cult product has been taken off the shelves.
If you’ve wondered why you haven’t been able to get your hands on a Jambon Beurre from the Pret cold sandwich section lately, here’s why.
A Jambon Beurre is essentially a French ham sandwich. At Pret, it’s made with Wiltshire-cured ham, cornichons and just a dab of butter on a stonebaked roll.
The item, which comes in at 331 calories, generally retails for £3.99 in-store.
But Pret customers haven’t been able to get their hands on a Jambon Beurre lately.
This is because there is apparently a cornichon shortage, the company has explained.
A spokesperson for the coffee house confirmed: “Customers may have noticed that our Jambon Beurre is currently missing from most shelves. This is due to a temporary shortage of cornichons.
“We’re sorry for any disappointment caused and are working hard to get this Pret favourite back in shops as soon as possible.”
Unfortunately, Pret have not given an exact time frame of when loyal shoppers can get their mitts on their favourite sandwich again.
Some outlets are still stocking the Jambon Beurre, Pret confirmed.
But be warned - once it's gone, it's gone.
If you’re obsessed with the Jambon Beurre, then you can make the item at home as cornichons are currently on sale in major supermarkets, such as Tesco, Marks and Spencer, and Sainsbury’s.
The lunchtime icon isn’t the only thing that British food lovers have lost recently, with AB World Foods announcing that The Gentleman’s Relish had been put on the shopping block after 200 years on shelves.
The Victorian-era spread, traditionally designed to be slathered on toast post-dessert, is said to have a ‘niche and loyal following’ but does not have ‘wider commercial appeal’.
“Despite our best efforts, retailer distribution has dwindled,” the food manufacturers stated.
“With Gentleman’s Relish no longer commercially viable and unable to secure a buyer for the brand, we regrettably stopped production earlier this year.”
A petition has been set up to save the item via Change.org.
AB World Foods declined FOODbible’s request to comment.