Ninety-Nine Problems
By Steve Sharp
As the sun begins to make a more frequent appearance and the temperature rises, ice cream sales are also on the up.
News so important that it featured in Radio 4’s bulletins, that Cadbury flakes, now made in Egypt, are too crumbly!
Boxes of flakes arriving as a collection of shards with some sellers resorting to sprinkling bits on top of a whippy. No longer a proper 99.
A spokesperson for the owners of Cadbury, Mondelez International said, “Cadbury Flake 99 is a naturally delicate and crumbly product, and we have a process in place within our supply chain to avoid any breakage as much as possible”. He/she went in to say that they were aware of the issue. “This has been addressed following improvements to our production processes, although some prior stock may remain in circulation.”
So, which is it then. Production or distribution?
Begs the question, why shift production to the desert country of Egypt from good old chilly Bourneville.
This issue of 99 problems gets a billing on the news because it is something of a national institution, and for most of us a part of our childhood which can still be enjoyed today.
There are a number of theories about its origin and name, but the commonly accepted version is credited to Stefano Arcari, who in 1922 opened a shop at 99 Portobello High Street in Scotland.
Another ice cream story hitting the headlines was about Marks and Spencer getting narky when Fabio Vincenti of Hitchin, Hertfordshire began making Percy Pig ice cream for his two ice cream parlours.
M&S politely requested that he ceased and desisted from using the name, although it was ok to continue making the product. Just as well really, as judging by Ocado’s website, their own version is
currently out of stock!
Meanwhile, over in Australia and New Zealand controversy surrounds a favourite created in 1959. The Golden Gaytime.
Rumours were rife that the popular confection was changing its name, bowing to political correctness, and not wishing to cause offence.
An open letter posted on the producer Streets website in response to name change speculation makes it clear that the Golden Gaytime moniker is here to stay. “The meaning behind the Gaytime name has not changed since its iconic debut in 1959. It is and always has been for everybody to enjoy, no matter who you are or who you love,” the letter reads. “However, we are mindful that the world has changed since the first Gaytime was made, and culture and language has also evolved over time.”
It appears that far from being offended by the name, the LGBT community are fans of it, embracing the 1980’s advertising campaign with the tagline “It’s hard to have a Gaytime on your own”.
Steve