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{{short description|Snack food made from potatoes and corn}}
{{About|the snack food|the toy|hula hoop}}
{{Infobox brand
| name                   = Hula Hoops
| image                  = Hula Hoops Snack Original.jpg
| caption                =
| producttype            = [[Crisps]]
| currentowner           = [[Intersnack]]
| origin                 = United Kingdom
| introduced             = {{start date and age|1973}}
| discontinued           = 
| related                = 
| markets                = {{unbulleted list|United Kingdom |Ireland | South Africa|Belgium}}
| website                = {{URL|hulahoops.com}}
|producedby=[[KP Snacks]]}}
'''Hula Hoops''' are a British [[snack food]] made out of potatoes and corn in the shape of short, hollow [[Cylinder (geometry)|cylinder]]s. They were created in 1973 by [[KP Snacks]] of [[Rotherham]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our Story - KP Snacks |url=https://www.kpsnacks.com/about-us/our-story |access-date=2025-10-05 |website=www.kpsnacks.com}}</ref> As well as being sold in Britain, they are sold in Ireland and South Africa,{{Update inline|date=October 2025}} and are sold in Belgium under the fellow [[Intersnack]] label "Chio" (until 2024 under "[[Croky]]" of [[Mouscron]]).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Neerman |first=Pauline |date=2024-09-02 |title=Hula Hoops war rages on supermarket shelves |url=https://www.retaildetail.eu/news/food/hula-hoops-war-rages-on-supermarket-shelves/ |access-date=2025-10-05 |website=RetailDetail EU |language=en-US}}</ref> They were also sold in France beginning in 2016 under Intersnack's Vico brand.<ref>{{Cite web |last=drumbeat |date=2017-06-08 |title=Snack producer Vico introduces Hula Hoops in Sonoco’s rigid paperboard containers to the French market - Sonoco Europe |url=https://sonocoeurope.com/2017/06/snack-producer-vico-introduces-hula-hoops-in-sonocos-rigid-paperboard-containers-to-the-french-market/ |access-date=2025-10-05 |website=sonocoeurope.com |language=en-US}}</ref> 

==Flavours and packet colours {{anchor|Flavours|Flavors}}==
Currently available flavours are:<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hula Hoops|url=https://www.hulahoops.com/kpcategory/hula-hoops/|access-date=2021-06-09|website=Hula Hoops|archive-date=2021-06-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210609141520/https://www.hulahoops.com/kpcategory/hula-hoops/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*BBQ Beef (brown)
* Cheese & Onion (green)
* Original (red)
* Roast Chicken (mustard)
* Salt & Vinegar (blue)
* Smoky Bacon (purple)
Other flavours have included:
* Sweet Chilli (pink)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hula Hoops – Sweet Chilli (Sainsbury's) [By @Cinabar]|url=https://www.foodstufffinds.co.uk/2011/08/hula-hoops-sweet-chilli-sainsburys-by.html|access-date=2021-06-09|language=en-GB}}</ref>
* Tikka (deep purple)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Forsey |first=Zoe |date=2018-04-10 |title=Hula Hoops reveals exciting new flavour - but some people might not be impressed |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/hula-hoops-reveals-exciting-new-12337114 |access-date=2022-05-17 |website=mirror |language=en}}</ref>
* Crisp Roulette (dark red){{Citation needed|date=June 2021}}
* Tangy Cheese (light orange){{Citation needed|date=June 2021}}

==Former flavours==
The following flavours were available for a short time, either because they tied-in with special promotions, or failed to meet sales expectations:

* Barbecue (brown)
* Beef and Mustard (black 'Big O's' & XL bag)
* Cheese (yellow)
* Prawn Cocktail (purple)
* Sour Cream and Chive (dark green)
* Tomato Ketchup (blue)
* Vanilla Cream (dark pink crisp roulette bag)

==Variations==
Hula Hoops come in different flavours. In 2008, KP started a variety made with corn called 'Hula Hoops Tortilla', which come in Cool Original, Chilli Salsa, and Nacho Cheese flavours.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 July 2008 |title=Hula Hoops launches new Tortilla range |url=http://www.talkingretail.com/products/product-news/10182-hula-hoops-launches-new-tortilla-range.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108101250/http://www.talkingretail.com/products/product-news/10182-hula-hoops-launches-new-tortilla-range.html |archive-date=8 January 2009 |access-date=8 June 2021 |website=Talking Retail}}</ref>

===Big O's===
In 1998, KP launched 'Big O's' from Hula Hoops, using comedians [[Harry Enfield]] and [[Paul Whitehouse]] in their advertising campaign as their characters the [[Harry Enfield's Television Programme#The Self-Righteous Brothers|Self-Righteous Brothers]].<ref>{{Citation|title=Hula Hoops: Big O's advert 1998 ( in LOUD OBNOXIOUS WIDESCREEN )|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_Z5VrQCOko| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151219193655/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_Z5VrQCOko| archive-date=2015-12-19 | url-status=dead|language=en|access-date=2019-10-10}}</ref> Big O's were larger-than-normal Hula Hoops, packaged in larger bags and only available in Beef & Mustard flavour. The bag design used a black background featuring a large Big O's logo. A smaller Hula Hoops logo featured in the bottom-corner whilst the flavour was in the opposite bottom-corner. Big O's are no longer in production, nor available.

===Shoks===
For a short while in the early 2000s, KP produced Hula Hoops Shoks.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hit or miss? - Hula Hoop Shoks|url=https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/hit-or-miss-hula-hoop-shoks/84831.article|access-date=2021-06-08|website=The Grocer|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=|title=Hula Hoops set out to Shok with new 'revolutionary' product|url=https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2002/03/14/Hula-Hoops-set-out-to-Shok-with-new-revolutionary-product|access-date=2021-06-08|website=The Morning Advertiser|language=en-GB}}</ref> These were miniature versions of the classic Hula Hoop, but had a much more intense flavour than the bags. They were packaged in either a stiff flexible plastic cube, or in a small resealable pot. The launch was first announced in March 2002, to be available in April, with KP claiming that the product would "revolutionise the snacks market". The company made a £4m investment in Shoks during the first eight weeks, with marketing controller Clare Robinson saying: "Complacency is not a Hula Hoops value and we wanted to rewrite some of the rules." According to the ''[[Morning Advertiser]]'', Robinson said that consumer sampling had been "overwhelmingly successful". She added: "We've never experienced a reaction like it". Shoks were aimed at the 12 to 24-year old market, and KP estimated that they could earn over £10m in sales during its first year.<ref name=":1" />

They were available in the following flavours:

* Totally Cheesy (orange, cube)
* Beef (brown, pot)
* Pickled Onion (green, cube)
* Sweet Chilli (pink, cube or pot)
* Salt and Vinegar (blue, cube)
* Rib and Saucy (purple, cube)

===Hula Hoops XL===
In 2001, KP launched Hula Hoops XL, which were larger-than-normal Hula Hoops, much like the previous Big O's incarnation.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Our Story|url=https://www.hulahoops.com/the-hoops-story/|access-date=2021-06-08|website=Hula Hoops|archive-date=2021-06-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608180612/https://www.hulahoops.com/the-hoops-story/|url-status=dead}}</ref> They were packaged in larger bags and were available in a limited range of flavours; however, they recorded poor sales and were soon dropped. Each bag was black with a large XL logo on the front, with the flavour overlaid. They were available in the following flavours:

* Beef & Mustard
* Chilli
* Nacho cheese
* Curry

===Frozen Hula Hoops===
In late 1999, KP produced Hula Hoops that could be cooked at home. Frozen Hula hoops were not a crisp-based snack; instead, they resembled [[hash browns]]. They began production again in 2013 as part of a range of frozen versions of crisps, this time exclusive to [[Iceland (supermarket)|Iceland]] stores.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=Hula Hoops® Original Salted Potato Shapes 650g: Chips & Fries |url=https://www.iceland.co.uk/p/hula-hoops-original-salted-potato-shapes-650g/85798.html|access-date=2021-06-08|website=Iceland}}</ref> {{As of|2021}}, they are available in the following flavours:

* Original Salted (red)<ref name=":2" />
* BBQ Beef (brown)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hula Hoops® BBQ Beef Flavour Potato Shapes 650g: Chips & Fries|url=https://www.iceland.co.uk/p/hula-hoops-bbq-beef-flavour-potato-shapes-650g/85796.html|access-date=2021-06-08|website=Iceland}}</ref>

===Big Hoops===
In 2011, XL had a successor, Big Hoops.<ref>{{Cite web|title=United Biscuits launches Hula Hoops Big Hoops|url=https://www.conveniencestore.co.uk/products/united-biscuits-launches-hula-hoops-big-hoops/220039.article|access-date=2021-06-08|website=Convenience Store|language=en}}</ref> Essentially the same design as the XL range, they were targeted towards adults who had memories of placing regular sized hoops onto their fingers, but could no longer do so. {{As of|2018}}, they were available in £1 price marked packs (87.4g) and 'Grab Bag' impulse packs (50g).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.talkingretail.com/products-news/crisps-snacks/kp-snacks-adds-spicy-chilli-big-hoops-range-26-02-2018/|title=KP Snacks adds Spicy Chilli to Big Hoops range|last=Cronin|first=Eilis|date=2018-02-26|website=Talking Retail|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-12}}</ref> 160g bags were once also produced. Big Hoops have been available in the following flavours:

* Salted, formerly Original (red)
* Sour Cream & Chive (dark green) (discontinued)
* Sweet Chilli (pink) (discontinued)
* BBQ Beef (brown)
*Chilli (black) (discontinued)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://store.approvedfood.co.uk/?pid=204449|title=Hula Hoops Big Hoops Chilli Flavour 96g|website=Approved Food|access-date=2019-08-12}}</ref>
*Spicy Chilli (magenta)<ref name=":0" />
*Salt & Vinegar (blue)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Big Hoops|url=https://www.hulahoops.com/kpcategory/big-hoops/|access-date=2021-06-09|website=Hula Hoops|archive-date=2021-06-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210609142623/https://www.hulahoops.com/kpcategory/big-hoops/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Puft ===
KP Snacks launched Hula Hoops Puft, a "lighter version" of the product, in early 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-01-14|title=KP Snacks launches Hula Hoops Puft|url=https://www.betterretailing.com/products/savoury-snacks-crisps/kp-snacks-launches-hula-hoops-puft/|access-date=2021-06-09|website=betterretailing.com|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-06-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210609142619/https://www.betterretailing.com/products/savoury-snacks-crisps/kp-snacks-launches-hula-hoops-puft/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Available in a 20g "handy pack", the product came in a cheese flavour, which was said to be "a first for the brand". KP's trading controller in convenience Matt Collins commented: "Hula Hoops is an £83million brand and we are extremely excited to grow this further with an all-new concept. Hula Hoops Puft will bring to life the fun element of the brand, whilst engaging with those in search of a lighter snack. Innovation is incredibly important for our future product development and Hula Hoops Puft is a perfect example of this." Puft is a [[Trademark|registered trademark]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-01-12|title=KP Snacks launches Hula Hoops Puft|url=https://www.talkingretail.com/products-news/crisps-snacks/kp-snacks-launches-hula-hoops-puft-12-01-2015/|access-date=2021-06-09|website=Talking Retail|language=en}}</ref> They are described on the packs as "Light and crispy puffed hoops".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Salted Flavour|url=https://www.hulahoops.com/kp_product/puft-salted/|access-date=2021-06-09|website=Hula Hoops|archive-date=2021-06-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210609142617/https://www.hulahoops.com/kp_product/puft-salted/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

{{As of|2021}}, Puft is available in four flavours:<ref>{{Cite web|title=Puft|url=https://www.hulahoops.com/kpcategory/puft-hoops/|access-date=2021-06-09|website=Hula Hoops|archive-date=2021-06-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210609142620/https://www.hulahoops.com/kpcategory/puft-hoops/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

* Salted (red)
* Sweet Chili (purple)
* Salt & Vinegar (blue)
* Beef (brown)

===Flavarings===
In May 2018, KP began production of Hula Hoops Flavarings in both Salt and Vinegar and Tangy Cheese flavours.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-05-04|title=KP Snacks launches Hula Hoops Flavarings|url=https://www.talkingretail.com/products-news/crisps-snacks/kp-snacks-launches-hula-hoops-flavarings-04-05-2018/}}</ref> Flavarings are a larger ring than standard Hula Hoops, and are [[maize]]-based, rather than potato, leading to a different texture, more akin [[Monster Munch]] than traditional Hula Hoops. They are described on the packets as "Big crispy bursts of flavour".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Tangy Cheese flavour|url=https://www.hulahoops.com/kp_product/tangy-cheese-flavour/|access-date=2021-06-09|website=Hula Hoops|archive-date=2021-06-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210609142620/https://www.hulahoops.com/kp_product/tangy-cheese-flavour/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

{{As of|2021}}, the product is available in the following flavours:<ref>{{Cite web|title=Flavarings|url=https://www.hulahoops.com/kpcategory/flavarings/|access-date=2021-06-09|website=Hula Hoops|archive-date=2021-06-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210609142625/https://www.hulahoops.com/kpcategory/flavarings/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

* Tangy Cheese (yellow)
* Salt & Vinegar (blue)
* Spicy (red)

==Nutritional information==
Each 24g (formerly 25g) multipack bag of the original Hula Hoops contains around 120 calories.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-12 |title=How Many Syns Are In Hoola Hoops? & Calories - SimpleSyns |url=https://simplesyns.com/how-many-syns-are-in-hoola-hoops/ |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=simplesyns.com |language=en-GB |archive-date=2022-12-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221212220757/https://simplesyns.com/how-many-syns-are-in-hoola-hoops/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> They also contain 0.8g of protein, 15.4g of carbohydrates, 6g of fat, 0.5g of fibre, and 0.2g of sodium. These values vary between flavours.

==Marketing slogans/formula  {{anchor|Marketing}}==
{{Unreferenced section|date=October 2025}}
* "Now 55% less Saturated Fat - Same great taste"
* "Cooked with 100% Sunflower Oil"
* "Best ever flavour"
* "Amazing taste and satisfaction"
* "Now no artificial flavours, colours, or [[Monosodium glutamate|MSG]]. Same great taste!"

==Charity activities==
In 2010, Hula Hoops partnered with [[Sport Relief]] to organize mass [[hula hoop]] displays. The ''Hoopathons'' were on Sunday 21 March, and 1,388 people took part to set a [[Guinness World Records|Guinness World Record]]-breaking largest number of people to hula-hoop simultaneously across the United Kingdom for two minutes.<ref>{{cite web
 |title       = Hooray for Hula Hoops!
 |url         = http://www.sportrelief.com/about/partners/hulahoops
 |work        = Sport Relief 2010
 |url-status     = dead
 |archiveurl  = https://web.archive.org/web/20100330084945/http://www.sportrelief.com/about/partners/hulahoops
 |archivedate = 2010-03-30
}} 
</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.hulahoops.com/ Hula Hoops Official site]

{{United Biscuits}}

[[Category:Products introduced in 1973]]
[[Category:British snack foods]]
[[Category:United Biscuits brands]]
[[Category:Intersnack]]