WALKERS has said a shortage of crisps could last until the end of the month after an IT problem affected the Leicester-based company.
In Taunton, supermarket shelves for individual and multi-packs of crisps were looking bare today (Tuesday, November 9).
Walkers, which is owned by PepsiCo, says the problems have now been fixed, but they have caused the output of its factories to be reduced below full production.
It has prioritised its most popular flavours, such as cheese and onion, ready salted, and salt and vinegar.
Other varieties, including Quavers and Wotsits, have also been prioritised for production.
A spokesperson for Walkers said: "A recent IT system upgrade has disrupted the supply of some of our products.
"Our sites are still making crisps and snacks, but at a reduced scale.
"We're doing everything we can to increase production and get people's favourites back on shelves.
"We're very sorry for the inconvenience caused."
Here is how the shelves looked today at three Taunton supermarkets:
Tesco superstore, Castle Street
Meal deal shoppers at Tesco were met with a very limited choice at lunchtime.
A small pile of Walkers Sensations Thai sweet chilli packets was the primary crisp option, with the yellow packets visible being Proper Corn's sweet and salty flavour popcorn.
Sainsbury's superstore, Billet Street
The most popular Walkers varieties were absent from the meal deal shelves at Sainsbury's Billet Street store around lunchtime today.
Packets of Big Hoops, Nik Naks, Quavers and Wotsits meant there were at least some options for hungry shoppers.
The multi-pack shelves were also missing some of the more popular Walkers flavours, but there were still variety packs, salt and vinegar, ready salted and prawn cocktail options.
McCoy's crisps, which are produced by KP Snacks, were still on the shelves.
Morrisons, Priory Bridge Street
Snacks made by Walkers were also in short supply at Morrisons in Taunton at lunchtime today, both in the meal deal aisles and for multipacks.
On the multi-pack shelves, French Fries and Quavers were the main Walkers crisps available, while there were plenty of varities made by other companies, such as Hula Hoops and McCoy's Flame Grilled.
Packets of Walkers crisps have been spotted on eBay for up to £8 due to the shortage.
One seller from Leicester was seen trying to sell a packet of Walkers salt and vinegar crisps for £6.89, and another listed a single 68g packet of salt and vinegar Squares for £7.89.
Variety boxes of Wotsits and Quavers - which usually cost around £4 - have also been seen online being sold for as much as £30.
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