Smiley fritz is a traditional South Australian variety of devon dyed in such a way that it reveals a smiling face as it is cut. [1] Devon is a manufactured meat product available in Australia and New Zealand that is known under different regional names, [2] [3] but the South Australian variety, known generally as bung fritz, uses some different ingredients to those found in similar products in other states. [4]
Smiley fritz has traditionally been provided free to children at South Australian butchers and supermarkets. [5] This led to controversy when free smiley fritz was banned from a Tanunda supermarket in 2019 due to being a "slipping hazard". [6] [7] There were rumours that smiley fritz and fairy bread had been banned from South Australian schools in early 2024, but the Department of Education issued a clarification that it, along with other lunch meats, were not recommended, but they were not banned. [8]
A vegan version of smiley fritz was released in 2021. [9]