Nik Naks

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A Rib 'n' Saucy flavour packet of Nik Naks.

Nik Naks are a type of extruded corn snack manufactured by the Golden Wonder company in the United Kingdom. The brand was purchased by United Biscuits in 2006. KP now make Nik Naks and Wheat Crunchies, which were also Golden Wonders.

Available in 5 flavours:

Scampi 'n' Lemon (Green bag)
Cream & Cheesy (Yellow bag)
Nice & Spicy (Orange bag)
Rib 'n' Saucy (Purple bag)
Pickle 'n' Onion (Red bag)

Nik Naks were originally made by the Nisa company in the early 1980s. Two flavours existed then, Nice n Spicy, and Scampi and Lemon. The product re-appeared briefly as a Marks and Spencer's own brand around 1985, available in family sized packets only in Nice n Spicy flavour; disappearing from the shops entirely in the early nineties.

Golden Wonder bought the brand some years later. A Bacon flavour existed in the mid 1990s but were then replaced by Rib n Saucy. Scampi & Lemon - were discontinued along with the 'Hard Cheese' flavour but were brought back due to popular demand. However, Scampi & Lemon's re-introduction although embraced largely by the public^{[original research?]} led to outcry in the factory as workers complained of the smell.^{[citation needed]}

The brand ran a notable advertising campaign in the 90s created by animator Bill Plympton, based on his short film Push Comes to Shove, in which two men's heads transform into a variety of shapes. [1]

During 2004-5, its advertising led with the tag line 'Eat The Freak', coined due to their odd appearance. One commercial, set on a cross-Channel ferry, was a modern parody of the sci-fi classic Alien, wherein a passenger eats a Nik Nak only to have it explode from his stomach and begin dancing to Le Freak by Chic. [2]

The Nik-nak is also a slang term for a well known basketball shot. Many believe that the 'knobbly shape' is derived from the position usually taken by a center upon laying off the shot, the contortion of the players body aiding in increasing the accuracy of the play.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Ingredients

Rib 'n' Saucy Flavour:
Maize, Sunflower Oil (25%), Vegetable Oil (13%), Rib 'n' Saucy Flavour [Sugar, Salt, Maltodextrin, Flavour enhancer: Monosodium Glutamate, Spices, Dried Onion, Yeast Extract, Acidity Regulator: Sodium Diacetate, Dried Garlic, Flavourings, Dried Tomato, Citric Acid]

Nice 'n' Spicy Flavour:
Maize, Sunflower Oil (25%), Vegetable Oil (13%), Nice 'n' Spicy Flavour [Sugar, Salt, Acidity Regulator: Sodium Diacetate, Lactose, Flavour enhancer: Monosodium Glutamate, Dried Onion, Citric Acid, Malic Acid, Flavourings, Curry Powder, Dried Powder, Colour:Paprika Extract, Spice, Malt Extract, Dried Malt Vinegar]

[edit] Nutrition Information

Average Values	Per 100g	Per Bag	Per 100g	Per Bag
	Rib 'n' Saucy Flavour		Nice 'n' Spicy Flavour
Energy (kJ)	2347	704	2338	585
Energy (kCal)	564	169	561	140
Protein	5.0g	1.5g	4.7g	1.2g
Carbohydrate	49.8g	14.9g	49.6g	12.4g
of which Sugars	4.0g	1.2g	4.1g	1.0g
Fat	38.3g	11.5g	38.3g	9.6g
of which Saturates	8.4g	2.5g	8.4g	2.1g
Fibre	3.1g	0.9g	3.0g	0.8g
Sodium	0.7g	0.2g	1.0g	0.3g