NikNaks (South African snack)
 | |
| Product type | Cheese puffs |
|---|---|
| Owner | Simba Chips |
| Country | South Africa |
| Introduced | 1972 |
| Related brands | Simba Chips |
| Markets | Southern Africa |
| Website | Official website |
NikNaks, also known as "amaNikNaks,"[1] is the brand name for a popular[2] brand of South African Cheese puffs manufactured by the Simba Chips company since 1972.[3] It originally only came in 'Cheese' flavour. It typically comes in 55 gram and 150 gram bags. It is primarily made from maize, vegetable oil, salt, and cheese.
Though based in South Africa and mostly consumed in the Southern African region, NikNaks are consumed internationally due to South Africa's Diaspora.[4]
Branding
The brand features the brand mascot, Nik the Nak, on a yellow packet with different coloured diamonds arranged in a circular pattern depending on the flavour. Green for fruit chutney, brown for spicy beef, and pink for cheese. In the 2000s the image of the brand mascot was altered due to concerns over the racially prejudicial nature of the original image featuring a stylised Kaapse Klopse minstrel.[5] The mascot was originally "introduced as a middle-aged comic-like character [that] has since evolved into a funkier more youthful male, symbolising elements of youth culture."[1]
The new and final (as of 2016) branding was finalised in 2010 when a design from the advertising agency Graffiti by Mzwandile Buthelezi was chosen after members of the public voted it the best of 3 possible new options.[6]
In 2014 British importers of South African Niknaks were issued with legal letters informing them not to import the snacks into the country as they infringed on the brand name of the British brand Nik Naks manufactured by KP Snacks.[7]
Flavors
Niknaks currently come in three flavours.
- Original Cheese - the brand's original flavour in a yellow and pink packet.
- Spicy Beef - launched on the brand's 40th annerversary in October 2013 in a yellow and brown packet.[1]
- Fruit Chutney - in a yellow and green packet.
- Spicy Tomato - in a yellow and red packet launched in 2010[6] (discontinued).
- Sweet Chili and Cheese - in a blue packet (discontinued).
- Chilli Cheese - in a yellow and red packet launched in November 2015.[8]
Nutritional information
| Cheese Flavour | Spicy Beef | Fruit Chutney Flavour | ||||
| Average Values | Per 100g | Per Bag | Per 100g | Per Bag | Per 100g | Per Bag |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Energy (kJ) | 2335 | 1284 | 2375 | 1284 | 2335 | 1284 |
| Energy (kCal) | 564 | 307 | 564 | 307 | 559 | 307 |
| Protein | 6.2g | 2.5g | 6.2g | 2.5g | 6.2g | 2.5g |
| Carbohydrate | 53g | 29g | 53g | 29g | 53g | 29g |
| of which Sugars | 1.3g | 0.7g | 1.3g | 0.7g | 1.3g | 0.7g |
| Fat | 36g | 17.9g | 36g | 17.9g | 36g | 17.9g |
| Sodium | 0.839g | 0.461g | 0.8g | 0.461g | 0.992g | 0.461g |
References
- 1 2 3 "NikNaks celebrates over 40 years of snacking with new Spicy Beef flavour". www.foodstuffsa.co.za. Retrieved 2016-07-28.
- ↑ "South Africa’s 25 most nostalgic foods". Eatout.co.za. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
- ↑ "Simba NikNaks - Cheese". SA Goodies. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
- ↑ "What African expats miss most about home - Homecoming Revolution". 2015-01-20. Retrieved 2016-07-28.
- ↑ Mackay, Alistair (26 March 2015). "Brand Politics: Whose heritage is it, anyway?". Marketlives.com. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
- 1 2 "NIKNAKS launches a new pack and a spicy new flavour". Retrieved 2016-07-28.
- ↑ Sanderson, Sertan. "Trademark dispute could halt import of Simba Niknaks into UK". Retrieved 2016-07-28.
- ↑ "NikNaks introduces a spicy new flavour". Fastmoving.co.za. Retrieved 2016-07-28.