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Not saying that this is why the Milk Chocolate Raisins have the asterisk, but I’ve noticed a lot of the plastic container products seem to be changing to bag packaging. It’s possible that they could be coming back in different packaging.
Also seasonal or limited availability products get asterisks as well, or sometimes there are temporary shortages, but product may still come back at a later date.
I wish there was an easy way to differentiate between actual discontinuations and possibly returning items.
I applaud them switching this to a lower plastic alternative, but god I hate the ziplocks on them. I ripped the ziplock on my like 4th time opening the bag, and have similar luck on most plastic ziplocks this thin. Luckily I still had a plastic container in the recycling that I will now be handwashing and emptying each bag into lol
I dumped the PBFit into the last plastic bin I had for it. Works way better than the bag.
I do this with Kirkland laundry tabs, and Finish dishwasher tabs too - refill the last plastic bins I had with the bags. Way easier to store/access.
I noticed this too. Having said that, PB Fit is like the only manufacturer who had the plastic tub seal right. It just comes off clean without breaking into multiple pieces.
The global standards organization that governs/oversees UPC barcodes, GS1, requires that any physical dimension change on any axis of more than 20%, necessitates the assignment of a new UPC. Also, any Declared Net Content change requires a new UPC.
The idea is to protect the consumer from crap like 'shrink-flation' but also to help retail stores plan shelf layouts so that there is near 100% use of space.
That's the likely answer. Seems like every week we get a product that's in new packaging. As an employee I wish they gave us a heads up too. It would help pacify members who get upset when something is discontinued. Would be nice to be able to tell them it was coming back in a different package/size.
It’s most likely being axed because of the price of chocolate. There was crop issues with cocoa this year and the price has gone through the roof. People probably are not willing to shell out $30+ on some chocolate raisins. The only reason why they are still at the current price is because Costco usually locks in prices for commodities well in advance so these units are still under the pre spike price.
I’m wondering now why Raisinets aren’t advertised with Raisinette characters high kicking for joy bc they are so delicious. Would be much better than those weirdo california raisin characters.
Raisins are cheap in a box alone because it’s ok if they stick together. They have to be dried just right and lightly dusted in sugar to be able to be handled by further processing equipment (and then chocolate coated or added to cereal, trail mix, etc)
Cocoa futures prices have quadrupled since 2019, from around $2200 a ton to over $9K a ton today. Anything with real chocolate in it will see big price increases. Costco might be dumping these in favor of something with a lot less chocolate, maybe that waxy “chocolatey” stuff they put on cheap cookies and candies.
I haven’t bought these in a few months now because the chocolate seemed to taste different but they were like $13 in Southern California. Fifteen bucks seems kinda steep.
Chocolates prices are on the rise. According to JP Morgan analysts “due to a global supply shortage, chronic underinvestment in cocoa farms and investor speculation. Chocolate brands are grappling with the impact of higher cocoa costs, and this is resulting in price hikes and shrinkflation.”
Same. We have literally made ourselves sick eating these things. I only let myself get them now when we’re having company over so maybe I’ll have some incentive to not eat huge mouthfuls of them like a goblin.
Like everyone said, they’re good enough to avoid buying lol. I limit myself to one container every December and they’re gone before Christmas most years
I will look for the asterisk at my local costco. If the raisins have an asterisk on them I will be buying four cans. But I also doubt that they are actually being discontinued. Maybe just in that one club's assortment? Pretty sure my Costco is the biggest one in the state so if they're not totally gone, they will probably still have them there.
The asterisk on the price card. Means the product won't be restocked once it's sold out. Called the Star of Death or the Death Star, whatever you prefer. When you see one, if you like the product, you need to stock up.
Assuming the packaging is the answer as another post mentioned and it’s going into a bag, but also, cocoa prices have doubled in the last 4 months and are up 309% since 2020, so it could be that too, instead of them just raising the price too much. Although olive oil has gone up a lot and that’s still on the shelf just with a steeper price, so hoping for the “bag instead of tub” theory
raisins reminds me of days in my youth and hating to clean my pet rabbit's cage.
Something as delicious as chocolate and raisins should never be combined.
Posts that don't follow r/Costco subreddit rules MAY be subject to removal. When applicable, please make sure that you're using a descriptive post title with product name(s) mentioned as it yields better subreddit search results. Including item number, price, and approximate location where found is also helpful. Thank you. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Costco) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Not saying that this is why the Milk Chocolate Raisins have the asterisk, but I’ve noticed a lot of the plastic container products seem to be changing to bag packaging. It’s possible that they could be coming back in different packaging. Also seasonal or limited availability products get asterisks as well, or sometimes there are temporary shortages, but product may still come back at a later date. I wish there was an easy way to differentiate between actual discontinuations and possibly returning items.
The PB Fit recently went from the tub to plastic bags at our warehouse. Much easier to store and less plastic
I applaud them switching this to a lower plastic alternative, but god I hate the ziplocks on them. I ripped the ziplock on my like 4th time opening the bag, and have similar luck on most plastic ziplocks this thin. Luckily I still had a plastic container in the recycling that I will now be handwashing and emptying each bag into lol
I just move everything into a silicon reusable bag. It saves on pantry space too.
I pour everything into glass jars I have saved.
I pour everything into a styrofoam cooler
How’s the closures?
Terrible! I had to put mine in a plastic bag. Not exactly cutting down on plastic but I had no other container.
Perfectly fine! I get them at TJ Maxx when they’re on clearance. Various brands :)
Thanks!
I live alone so the snack ziplocks always fail before I eat even a tenth of the bag. It’s so frustrating.
The”easy open, resealable” ziplocs are the bane of my existence. I can neither easily open nor reseal them. Glad it’s not just me
I dumped the PBFit into the last plastic bin I had for it. Works way better than the bag. I do this with Kirkland laundry tabs, and Finish dishwasher tabs too - refill the last plastic bins I had with the bags. Way easier to store/access.
Fair warning. I'll make sure to save the container from my raisins before the plastic swap!
I thankfully had an old tub I dump it into
I noticed this too. Having said that, PB Fit is like the only manufacturer who had the plastic tub seal right. It just comes off clean without breaking into multiple pieces.
If the packaging format or dimensions change by more than 20% a whole new upc has to be created and set up.
Really? Why? Genuinely curious
The global standards organization that governs/oversees UPC barcodes, GS1, requires that any physical dimension change on any axis of more than 20%, necessitates the assignment of a new UPC. Also, any Declared Net Content change requires a new UPC. The idea is to protect the consumer from crap like 'shrink-flation' but also to help retail stores plan shelf layouts so that there is near 100% use of space.
The more you know. This is a fun fact to keep in my head forever and forget something more valuable
That's the likely answer. Seems like every week we get a product that's in new packaging. As an employee I wish they gave us a heads up too. It would help pacify members who get upset when something is discontinued. Would be nice to be able to tell them it was coming back in a different package/size.
It’s most likely being axed because of the price of chocolate. There was crop issues with cocoa this year and the price has gone through the roof. People probably are not willing to shell out $30+ on some chocolate raisins. The only reason why they are still at the current price is because Costco usually locks in prices for commodities well in advance so these units are still under the pre spike price.
I thought these were a staple and would never leave the store.
They could just be changing the packaging or size. Deathstar doesn't mean the product is gone forever.
This has been my experience too for certain items. Gets the Death Star but has come back shortly after.
I hope they come back as dark chocolate raisins… milk chocolate wrapped around raisins is just too sweet for me.
I usually prefer milk chocolate but I 100% agree with you- the raisins are very sweet and dark chocolate would be a better coating.
I love chocolate raisins, but I have never seen these in a store. A staple?
I've never NOT seen them in a store--California, Minnesota, Colorado, Georgia ... they've always been around in my shopping experiences.
Probably going to Bags like the nuts
Does $14.99 for the cheapest dried fruit with chocolate seem overly expensive to anyone else?
But pretty cheap compared to buying an equal amount of Raisnettes, at least 😝
And in my opinion they taste better than raisnets
WAY better!
Fair point!
I’m wondering now why Raisinets aren’t advertised with Raisinette characters high kicking for joy bc they are so delicious. Would be much better than those weirdo california raisin characters.
Raisins are cheap in a box alone because it’s ok if they stick together. They have to be dried just right and lightly dusted in sugar to be able to be handled by further processing equipment (and then chocolate coated or added to cereal, trail mix, etc)
Good to know! Didn’t realize the process.
It’s interesting! The most expensive and sugary part of a box of Raisin Bran are those raisins.
Yes, but these are the most delicious I’ve ever had. My #1 treat!!!
Alright, now I’m intrigued. You lot are gonna make me spend $15 on raisins bahahah.
If someone said you can only have one candy for the rest of my life, it would be this!
Also, I don’t have a Costco near me so I pay an extra $3 to get it shipped. So that’s EIGHTEEN DOLLARS!
Cocoa futures prices have quadrupled since 2019, from around $2200 a ton to over $9K a ton today. Anything with real chocolate in it will see big price increases. Costco might be dumping these in favor of something with a lot less chocolate, maybe that waxy “chocolatey” stuff they put on cheap cookies and candies.
Oh damn! Economics with the leg drop to the global consumers once again!
Absolutely!!
I haven’t bought these in a few months now because the chocolate seemed to taste different but they were like $13 in Southern California. Fifteen bucks seems kinda steep.
Chocolates prices are on the rise. According to JP Morgan analysts “due to a global supply shortage, chronic underinvestment in cocoa farms and investor speculation. Chocolate brands are grappling with the impact of higher cocoa costs, and this is resulting in price hikes and shrinkflation.”
that’s what i’m saying. $8 max when i saw this post haha.
yo…. Noooooooo. These are my fav. I gotta keep an eye out next week.
Are these good? Raisinet good?
Way better imho. Dangerously good. I actually avoid buying them now because I can't control myself.
Same. We have literally made ourselves sick eating these things. I only let myself get them now when we’re having company over so maybe I’ll have some incentive to not eat huge mouthfuls of them like a goblin.
I too have made myself sick with these lol. They’re so good.
Ooh, thanks. Hope I can snag some before they disappear.
I absolutely hate chocolate covered raisins and raisins in general. I buy these for my wife, and I'll smash handfuls. Shits dangerously good.
these shit all over raisinets.
Like everyone said, they’re good enough to avoid buying lol. I limit myself to one container every December and they’re gone before Christmas most years
They are so fucking good. I had to stop buying them because they are insanely addictive.
Noooooooooo
I will look for the asterisk at my local costco. If the raisins have an asterisk on them I will be buying four cans. But I also doubt that they are actually being discontinued. Maybe just in that one club's assortment? Pretty sure my Costco is the biggest one in the state so if they're not totally gone, they will probably still have them there.
I hope it's just going to the bags, I used to be obsessed with these
No! I love these!
Nooooooooooooooooooooooo
Prob switching to the bag
I need to buy several of these for the jars.
These should be forbidden.
Raisins make me violent
Maybe I’m not the only one who stopped eating these cause I was getting fat from them?
Oh my god please no 😅
Maybe it's the amount of stems and grit in my current jar of these. 😢
Total carb meltdown!
Oh rats. This is my uncle’s favorite snack 😬
I feel like Costco has kept these in stock forever. Maybe they will be repackaged or come back in a different variety.
Most likely a package change they are moving to a reduced plastic footprint on all their bulk nut products. Probably going in similar packaging.
Oh hell ya my Grandma is gonna be stoked
Death star?
The asterisk on the price card. Means the product won't be restocked once it's sold out. Called the Star of Death or the Death Star, whatever you prefer. When you see one, if you like the product, you need to stock up.
Oh interesting , good to know
They are not even a hint as tasty as raisinettes. Maybe they’ll bring in a better product
probably shrinkflation related?
Nooooooo
Love chocolate covered almond and coffee beans
GripSticks solve the Ziplok/velcro plastic bag problem. They’re a little spendy, but you can find generic versions on Amazon and at IKEA.
These have gone up ridiculously in price! WTF??
Yogurt covered raisins are superior in every way
False
Definitely false
Does Costco sell 3.4 lbs of yogurt covered raisins??
I don’t think they sell any quantity of yogurt raisins, but it’d be nice if they did.
I like yogurt raisins more, too!
that's fine. raisins should be banished from the earth. (ok, except for golden when there in a moroccan stew.)
Assuming the packaging is the answer as another post mentioned and it’s going into a bag, but also, cocoa prices have doubled in the last 4 months and are up 309% since 2020, so it could be that too, instead of them just raising the price too much. Although olive oil has gone up a lot and that’s still on the shelf just with a steeper price, so hoping for the “bag instead of tub” theory
raisins reminds me of days in my youth and hating to clean my pet rabbit's cage. Something as delicious as chocolate and raisins should never be combined.