If you grew up in the 90s or early 2000s, you likely remember the simple joy of a Capri Sun juice pouch. The satisfying *pop* of piercing the straw through the foil and the refreshing sip that followed were quintessential parts of childhood. But now, that cherished ritual might be at risk of fading into the past, as Capri Sun reportedly plans a controversial overhaul—replacing their iconic pouches with plastic bottles.
This potential change, first hinted at by the Instagram food news account Snackolater, has sent waves of concern and nostalgia through social media. According to Snackolater, the classic juice pouches are set to be replaced with 12-ounce bottles, targeted at a more adult demographic. The new bottled version is said to debut in three familiar flavors: Fruit Punch, Strawberry Kiwi, and Pacific Cooler, with an official announcement expected at the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) 2024 Show in Las Vegas this October.
But don’t panic just yet. After the news ignited a firestorm of reactions from Capri Sun fans—many of whom expressed their outrage at the thought of losing the pouch—the Kraft Heinz Company, which owns Capri Sun, stepped in to reassure everyone that the beloved pouch isn’t going anywhere.
In a statement to The New York Post, Kraft Heinz clarified, “After seeing fans’ panic to the news, the brand behind the No. 1 kids’ drink in America is reassuring everyone that the pouch is here to stay in a truly epic way.” To back up their promise, the company is rolling out a massive pallet of over 3,800 Capri Sun pouches, available exclusively at Walmart next week, ensuring that fans can stock up on their favorite drink.
The uproar began when Snackolater posted on Instagram, touting the supposed benefits of the new bottles: “Each bottle is 12oz and won’t need you to have to find the spot to poke the straw in and hope that it doesn’t come shooting back at you!” However, this modernization of Capri Sun’s packaging wasn’t met with the excitement Snackolater might have expected.
“Won’t be the same without the straw! Whose idea was this?” one Instagram user demanded, echoing the sentiments of many who lamented the loss of the playful struggle with the foil. Another commenter lamented, “You can’t blow these up and stomp on them for fun for them to make a popping sound,” highlighting the childhood antics that made the pouch so beloved.
Even on X, formerly known as Twitter, critics didn’t hold back. One user declared, “I feel like it’s not an exaggeration to say this is one of the most shocking product changes in the history of food & beverage.”
This isn’t the first time Capri Sun has tried to appeal to its nostalgic adult audience. The brand recently introduced giant jugs of juice, marking their first major innovation in nearly a decade. According to Capri Sun’s senior brand manager Jordan Mann, the larger format is designed to allow “kids at heart” to relive their childhood memories at parties, gatherings, or even at the dinner table.
For now, Capri Sun’s pouches remain safe, but the company’s rumored move to bottles has sparked a debate that underscores a broader tension: how to modernize beloved products without losing the essence that made them iconic in the first place. Whether the bottled version becomes a reality or not, one thing is clear—Capri Sun’s place in American nostalgia is firmly secure, straw and all.
