Outrage as Lyle's Golden Syrup axes world's oldest branding: 'Why change it?!'

Featured on the packaging, taking inspiration from the Bible's Lion and the Bees story, has always depicted a dead lion, with a swarm of bees around hit.

However, customers have only recently noticed the image and branded the logo "disturbing", calling for a change to the packaging.

The brand has changed the packaging on their plastic products, but will retain its heritage packaging on tinned products.

Executive Director of the Royal Fine Art Commission Trust, Robert Bargery, said: "A successful brand with a solid reputation probably has more to lose than gain by going for a new logo.

"The redrawn lion is so stylised as to lack clarity at first glance, whereas the old lion is clearly a lion: it is what it looks like on the tin."

Discussing the brand's axing of the logo on GB News, host Eamonn Holmes admitted he'd "never noticed" the depiction of the dead lion on the packaging.

Cohost Isabel Webster was in agreement, admitting: "I knew there was a lion on it, but never noticed what was all over it."

Commentator Fraser Myers revealed the meaning behind the logo and its biblical meaning, stating it comes from "the Samson and Delilah story from Bible" and cited the quote "out of the strong came forth the sweetness" on the original packaging.

Myers admitted the original logo was "a little bit grim", but said it was a "shame" of the iconic logo to be changed so suddenly to a "cute lion" after facing backlash.

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Myers added: "It looks like it could be any other company now."

Eamonn replied: "But it's so tiny, so minuscule, you wouldn't notice it."

Commentator Scarlett MccGwire was outraged by the decision, fuming: "But why change it? There's nothing wrong with it.

"It's been like that for decades and no one will notice if they change it anyway. It's just silly."

Taking to Reddit, social media users expressed their fury towards the changing logo.

One user wrote: "Lyle's packaging is possibly the world's oldest in continuous use, having not changed significantly since 1885, so it would be a shame if they altered it."

Another user admitted to not noticing the original logo on the packaging, raging: "There's a dead f***ing lion on the front of golden syrup? How have I not noticed this in 33 years?"

A third Reddit user called for the original logo to be reinstated, writing: "Always wondered why they had a dead Lion with bees buzzing around it as a logo.

"Definitely need to bring it back. This new face looks like the Cowardly Lion from the Wizard of Oz who got his courage and a new doo."

James Whiteley, Brand Director for Lyle’s Golden Syrup, said: “We’re excited to unveil a fresh redesign for the Lyle’s Golden Syrup brand. For a century and a half, Lyle’s has added flavour and fun to the breakfast table and in foods that the whole family love, bringing a delicious dose of absolutely golden magic to any moment.

“While we’ll continue to honour our original branding with the heritage tin, consumers need to see brands moving with the times and meeting their current needs. Our fresh, contemporary design brings Lyle’s into the modern day, appealing to the everyday British household while still feeling nostalgic and authentically Lyle’s.

“We’re confident that the fresh new design will make it easier for consumers to discover Lyle’s as an affordable, everyday treat, while reestablishing the brand as the go-to syrup brand for the modern UK family, featuring the same delicious taste that makes you feel Absolutely Golden.”