As a nation of crisps lovers, everyone in the UK has their own favourite flavour.
You can’t beat a classic, and Walkers’ Ready Salted, Cheese and Onion and Salt and Vinegar varieties have been a rare constant in our rapidly-evolving times.
At least, they were. One of that much-loved crisp trio has undergone an evolution of its own. Change is scary, especially when your meal deal hasn’t gone down the way you would expect, and it seems that’s the case for many a Salt and Vinegar lover.
Walkers has recently announced two brand new flavours, Sticky Teriyaki and Masala Chicken, which launched in August 2025, but those headline arrivals haven’t drowned out the online commentary around Salt and Vinegar tasting different.
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“Have Walkers changed their salt and vinegar crisps?” asked one X user, and it turns out that they have.
Walkers has quietly tinkered with its recipes on countless occasions over the years, with changes often being subtle enough to go unnoticed while people scarf down their bag.
These changes, however, are a bit more noticeable and affect the Salt and Vinegar, Prawn Cocktail, Smoky Bacon, Roast Chicken, BBQ and Pickled Onion flavours.
As to why, it’s to do with the UK government’s growing crackdown on high-salt foods, and ultra-processed foods (UPFs) more generally.
PepsiCo, the owner of Walkers has switched up their recipes to give us ‘the same classic Walkers crisps people know and love, with lower salt’.
Per The Grocer, these changes yield a 47% reduction of salt content across Walkers’ range.
Ready Salted and Cheese and Onion are set for changes too, but PepsiCo reportedly said they need ‘a little more work… to make sure they’re absolutely right’.
While the incumbent Labour government is accelerating plans for fast food advertising bans and increased regulation around salt, sugar and fat content in processed foods, changing requirements around High in Fat, Sugar, or Salt (HFSS) foods were introduced by the previous government in October 2022.
Those regulations have changed where stores can advertise and display HFSS foods, namely by moving them away from entrances, checkouts and aisle-ends.
From October 2025, incoming legislation will mean retailers will have to cut HFSS food promotions, such as ‘buy one get one free’ deals that encourage higher consumption.
That change will come alongside shifts in advertising rules.
“From 1 October 2025, and in line with Government’s policy intentions, we would expect adverts for specific identifiable less healthy products not to be shown on TV between 5:30am and 9pm or at any time online, and there will be legal clarification on “brand advertising” before the restrictions come into force legally on 5 January 2026, subject to Parliamentary approval,” said Ashley Dalton, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Public Health and Prevention, in May 2025.
In other words, these changes by Walkers are likely an attempt to bring salt content down and thereby evade the restrictions set to be placed on HFSS foods.
FOODBible has approached Walkers for comment.
Featured Image Credit: lleerogers/Getty Images
Rachael Davis