Twitter is a social media platform that may be to blame for society’s shrinking attention span, increasing online harassment, and general feelings of dread and despair. But, it also might have played a part in creating the Oreo-filled Cadbury Creme Egg, so one takes the bad with the good.
Cadbury, maker of perhaps the most popular Easter basket prize in the world, has debuted Oreo Mini Filled Eggs in the United Kingdom. Full-sized Oreo eggs have been popping up in Canada, and they’re set for a U.S. debut sometime next month, according to People. The company hasn’t acknowledged the source of inspiration for its new product, but it appears the idea came as a simple suggestion from a fan on Twitter.
Hey @CadburyUK – make this pic.twitter.com/J1g6aj9esa
— Nick Allam (@nickallam) January 28, 2015
@nickallam Wow, now that's something we haven't tried before! We'll be sure to put that to our product team, see what they say ;)
— Cadbury UK (@CadburyUK) January 28, 2015
It looks like the product team thought this Oreo-Cadbury collision was good enough to send to market, but confectionary genius Nick Allam says he isn’t getting the credit he deserves. “I first saw the Oreo Egg on social media on Thursday I think,” the 29-year-old Briton told the Bristol Post. “I was a little surprised, to be honest, and then a little disappointed because there was no recognition.
“I'm going to put it out there and say I did invent it, so yes, Cadbury have stolen my idea. I re-tweeted them my original tweet which I sent in 2015, but so far I haven't heard anything back."
If Allam had been paying attention to big food brands and how they create new products, he might have kept the idea to himself. Last year, Burger King released a bizarre Cheetos-macaroni and cheese mashup that was very clearly the original idea of a popular YouTube chef. Chipotle, in an attempt to diversify after its burrito reputation took a dent, launched an entirely new burger concept in Ohio. Unfortunately, much of the design is strikingly similar to a separate chain in Boston. If a brand spots a good idea, a brand is going to find a way to make that good idea its own.
Time confirms the Cadbury’s Oreo egg is indeed a good idea. Taste-testers found it to be “light and creamy” and “better than ordinary Creme Eggs.” Despite the lack of recognition, Allam seemingly is ready to move on with his life. He admits the new Oreo egg is good — but not as good as his version.
It's ridiculous that all the papers are following each other all because of a tweet about an egg
— Nick Allam (@nickallam) January 15, 2017
By the way, not annoyed. Happy Sunday! pic.twitter.com/KnKuGqiSUY
• 'Cadbury Stole My Idea' – Weston-Super-Mare Man 'Has Proof' He Invented the Oreo Creme Egg [BP]
• Oreo Eggs Will Be Available in the U.S. So You Can All Stop Crying [People]
• Yes, the Oreo Creme Egg Exists — and We Tasted One [Time]
• Did Burger King Swipe the Idea for Mac n' Cheetos From a YouTube Chef? [E]
• Boston’s Tasty Burger Continues to Fight Chipotle’s New Burger Concept [E]
