Sacramento-based Raley's supermarket chain has issued a statement explaining why it is not selling a new flavor of Ben & Jerry's ice cream.
"Schweddy Balls," a limited-edition flavor gets its name from the punchline of a popular "Saturday Night Live."
"We are aware of the controversy and consumer backlash associated with this limited edition ice cream flavor and we have made the decision to not place this particular product on our shelves. We invite our customers to select from our nearly 500 varieties of ice cream, which include premium flavors, frozen yogurt and even non-dairy options," spokeswoman Ashley Zepernick said in a prepared statement.
As of late last week, Taylor's Market in Land Park still was waiting for an order of Schweddy Balls to arrive.
"We have customers asking for it," said David Hunter, Taylor's grocery manager. "We've been trying to order it but they keep sending a different flavor. The whole thing kind of makes me laugh. It's one of my favorite SNL skits."
The new flavor has been available at Nugget Market in Roseville, and manager Jonathan Giannini said he hasn't heard any complaints from customers since they first stocked the ice cream.
A spokesperson for SaveMart/Lucky's/FoodMaxx said their stores have never carried that flavor.
As of early this afternoon, 11 people have "liked" a Facebook page called "I bet we can get 10,000 people who want Raleys to keep their Schweddy Balls": http://www.facebook.com/groups/299053236772042/
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