Space Raiders

A standard pickled onion packet of Space Raiders. This is of the smaller £0.10 variety.

Space Raiders are a British cheap corn-based crisp. They are made from corn and wheat and available in several flavours. They are made by KP Snacks in Ashby-de-la-Zouch in the UK. Space Raiders are especially popular with children, but also hold nostalgic notions for many British adults today.

Price controversy

Space Raiders remained at a retail price of 10 pence from their introduction in the late 1970s until late October 2007, when the price increased to 15p. It later increased to 25p before lowering to 20p. The price has continued to fluctuate, reflecting the volatility of the underlying commodity prices. At the time of the original 5p price-rise, directors at KP Snacks' parent company United Biscuits received death threats.^[1] In reaction to the price increases, fans of the product approached Benson's brand of Snacks to produce a rival snack.^{[citation needed]}

Each crisp is in the shape of an alien head. Prior to the change in EC food colouring laws, Roast Beef Space Raiders were bright red and pickled onion ones were green. They are now a light brown colour reflecting the maize / corn ingredients.

Comics

Mini comic stories were printed on the backs of packets. They have over the years included the adventures of, 'Astra and her Space Pirates' through to the current stories of aliens being afraid of the crunching sounds of Space Raiders being eaten. These, however, are now not included on the back of packets (2010) and instead there is a factfile of the flavour's own alien.

Flavours

• Beef
• Pickled Onion
• Spicy
• Salt and Vinegar (rarely available)
• Cheese (discontinued)
• Saucy BBQ (new 2010)

Nutrition information

References