Tuesday 30 April, 2024: Happy Chop Tearless Onions are returning exclusively to Woolworths stores in May. After a successful trial in NSW and Victoria last year, the onions will be back on shelves this month, offering a sweeter variety of onions that take the tears out of meal prep. 

For the first time, Tearless Onions will also be arriving in stores across Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia and the Northern Territory.

The unique onion variety is exactly as the name implies - an onion that’s less likely to make you cry when you cut it.

Happy Chop - Tearless Onions were developed over decades using natural methods, including cross-breeding existing onion varieties. The onions were successfully trialled in stores last year across NSW and Victoria, proving a popular choice for families and retirees. 

Woolworths Supermarkets’ General Manager Fruit & Veg, Paul Turner said: “Tearless Onions were trending last year and we are excited to bring this incredible variety to even more of our customers. 

“During the trial, lots of customers tried out the unique range and shared their experiences with us. For people who typically shed a tear or two when cutting onions, it’s really been a game changer for meal prep. 

“As onion season gets into full swing during autumn, Happy Chop Tearless Onions are one of a number of onion varieties we will have on offer in our stores, giving our customers a wide range of fresh produce to choose from. With a little bit of a sweeter taste, they can be enjoyed raw in a salad or cooked in a casserole or soup.”

As a natural self-defense mechanism, onions release a combination of natural chemicals and enzymes (or ‘volatile compounds’) that can cause some tears and irritation when an onion is damaged or cut. 

Happy Chop - Tearless Onions contain fewer of these compounds, and these compounds continue to reduce after they are harvested, compared to regular onions where these compounds increase over time. This means they become more tearless over time.

Happy Chop - Tearless Onions are 100% Australian-grown exclusively for Woolworths. They are available in 500g packs for $2.50 each. 

The packs will be available in Woolworths Supermarkets in NSW, VIC, the ACT, the NT, SA and QLD until October 2024, while stocks last.

-  ENDS  -

For further information, contact Woolworths Media: 02 8885 1033 or media@woolworths.com.au