Red Velvet Oreos have become a fan favorite ever since they were first introduced by Nabisco in 2012. These cookies feature the signature Oreo chocolate wafers with a cream filling that has flavors of both red velvet cake and cream cheese frosting. For many Oreo enthusiasts, Red Velvet Oreos are considered one of the best limited edition varieties that Nabisco has released over the years.
However, there has been some confusion lately over whether Red Velvet Oreos have been discontinued. Some fans of the cookies have had trouble finding them in stores, leading to speculation that Nabisco may have stopped production. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the current status of Red Velvet Oreos and try to determine if they are gone for good or if they still have a future.
The History of Red Velvet Oreos
To understand if Red Velvet Oreos are discontinued, it helps to first review the history of these popular cookies:
– Red Velvet Oreos were first released by Nabisco in February 2012 as a limited edition flavor. They were Nabisco’s second Oreo variety to be based on a cake flavor, following Birthday Cake Oreos.
– The cookies became incredibly popular right away thanks to their unique red and white color pattern and the creamy red velvet and cream cheese filling. Fans said they tasted just like red velvet cake.
– Due to high demand, Nabisco brought Red Velvet Oreos back the following Valentine’s Day season in 2013, and they continued to return for the Valentine’s season for several more years.
– In 2015 and 2016, Nabisco started releasing Red Velvet Oreos as a limited edition flavor available nationwide instead of just during Valentine’s season.
– Over the years, Red Velvet Oreos continued to be brought back frequently as a limited time offering due to their popularity. Availability became more sporadic after 2016.
Red Velvet Oreo Sightings in Recent Years
Here are some details on when Red Velvet Oreos have been spotted in stores over the past few years:
– 2017 – Available for Valentine’s season
– 2018 – No evidence of being released this year
– 2019 – Spotted in some stores as limited edition around holiday season
– 2020 – Again released for Valentine’s season
– 2021 – Not released this year
So while Red Velvet Oreos haven’t really been seen since their 2020 Valentine’s season release, they also haven’t been officially labeled as discontinued by Nabisco. Their availability has always been inconsistent.
Why Fans Think Red Velvet Oreos Are Discontinued
Despite no official word from Nabisco that Red Velvet Oreos have been discontinued, many fans are speculating that they have been based on some convincing evidence:
– They have been unavailable nationwide for over 2 years now, since their last Valentine’s Day release in 2020. Prior to 2020, there were some kind of national release at least every 1-2 years.
– Grocery stores shelves show no sign of them, and most shoppers have not been able to find them locally. Online shops and eBay also show a lack of availability.
– Nabisco’s official website has removed any mention of Red Velvet Oreos from their products page. Past limited editions like Candy Corn Oreos that have been discontinued are also no longer listed.
– Food blogs and media outlets have declared that Red Velvet Oreos have likely been discontinued based on lack of availability and information.
– Social media chatter from Oreo fans indicates widespread belief that the cookies have been discontinued. Most people have given up hope of finding them again.
While this evidence is compelling, it’s not necessarily proof. Nabisco has not confirmed if they’ve officially discontinued the popular flavor. But signs certainly seem to point that way.
Table of Red Velvet Oreo Availability
| Year | Red Velvet Oreo Availability |
|---|---|
| 2012 | Launched February 2012 |
| 2013 | Available for Valentine’s Day season |
| 2014 | Available for Valentine’s Day season |
| 2015 | Nationwide limited edition release |
| 2016 | Nationwide limited edition release |
| 2017 | Available for Valentine’s Day season |
| 2018 | No evidence of release |
| 2019 | Limited holiday season release spotted |
| 2020 | Released for Valentine’s Day season |
| 2021 | No release |
| 2022 | No current availability |
Why Would Nabisco Discontinue Such a Popular Flavor?
If Nabisco did really discontinue Red Velvet Oreos, it may seem like an odd choice given how passionately they were loved by consumers. However, there are some possible reasons Nabisco may have stopped production:
– Sales were declining as the initial hype wore off. After many years on the market, demand may have softened.
– Innovation is key in the competitive cookie market. Nabisco may have decided to focus on new flavor ideas rather than continue a past limited edition.
– Production costs may have increased to the point where Red Velvet Oreos were no longer profitable enough. The red cocoa and other ingredients may have become too expensive.
– The red dye used may no longer have been considered safe. Concerns over food coloring safety have grown in recent years.
– Supply chain issues due to COVID-19 complications may have disrupted production capabilities. Labor shortages and material costs also caused issues.
– Discontinuing flavors randomly keeps consumers intrigued and curious. It builds excitement when retired flavors suddenly reappear again.
While it’s not confirmed, the discontinuation of Red Velvet Oreos could have been a strategic business decision by Oreo’s parent company, Mondelez International, for any number of internal reasons.
Will Red Velvet Oreos Ever Come Back?
If Nabisco did discontinue Red Velvet Oreos, is there still hope they could come back in the future? There are a few reasons why a comeback could be possible:
– Other discontinued Oreo flavors have been known to return after years off the shelves, like Neapolitan Oreos recently. Popular limited editions often make a return due to fan demand.
– Oreo usually discontinues flavors quietly without any official announcement. Until they confirm Red Velvet Oreos are gone forever, the door remains open.
– Holiday seasons like Valentine’s Day seem like prime opportunities to bring Red Velvet Oreos back to capture sales. Limited seasonal releases would make sense.
– Oreo has been expanding their limited flavor lineup over the years, suggesting an appetite for innovation and variety. Reviving a hit like Red Velvet fits that strategy.
– Food trends frequently go through cycles of popularity, so red velvet flavor may rise again if consumer tastes shift. Oreo will likely adapt to current preferences.
– If production costs decrease or supply issues improve, Red Velvet Oreos could become profitable to produce again. Financial factors often impact decisions.
While nothing is guaranteed, there are enough business and market drivers that could motivate Nabisco to resuscitate Red Velvet Oreos at some point down the road. Never say never in the world of specialty snack foods!
What Are Some Other Discontinued Oreo Flavors?
Here are some other formerly available Oreo flavors that have been discontinued over the years besides Red Velvet Oreos:
| Discontinued Oreo Flavor | Years Available |
|---|---|
| Banana Split Oreos | 2017-2018 |
| Neapolitan Oreos | 2011-2012 |
| Strawberry Milkshake Oreos | 2006 |
| Lemon Twist Oreos | 2019 |
| Berry Burst Oreos | 2005-2006 |
| Candy Corn Oreos | 2012-2013 |
Conclusion
Red Velvet Oreos have become a beloved flavor over the years, gaining a passionate fanbase since their introduction in 2012. However, after lack of national availability for over two years now, speculation has grown that Nabisco has quietly discontinued the popular cookies. While not confirmed, the circumstantial evidence certainly suggests these limited edition Oreos may be gone for good. But there is also still hope that consumer excitement and shifting market factors could potentially bring them back someday in the future. For now, though, Red Velvet Oreo fans may need to satisfy their cravings by whipping up homemade copycat recipes. But never say never – this nostalgic flavor could perhaps rise again!