Few processed foods are more representable of good ole' 'Murica than the Twinkie.
The unidentified saccharine little cakes have been consumed in deep-fried form by many a presidential candidate in rural state fairs across the country. Who can forget the infamous image of Michele Bachman shoving one in her face?
The cloyingly sweet snacks, which have been rumored to have a shelf life that could surpass a nuclear holocaust -- alongside cockroaches, of course -- were taken off store shelves last year after Hostess went bankrupt.
Fortunately, for junk-food lovers across the country, they're back.
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Starting today, the infamous treats are making they're way back onto store shelves nationwide; however, they were made available at a large number of Wal-Mart stores this weekend.
According to USA Today, stores will also have Hostess Mini Muffins and fried Fruit Pies late this week, followed by Ho Hos, Orange CupCakes, Suzy Qs and Zingers in August.
Sno-Balls will be making their return in fall.
Notably, the rumored to last-forever spongy cakes will actually have an extended shelf-life as they return to store shelves. The life expectancy will increase by three-weeks, from 26 days to 45 -- not quite as long as forever, but hey, it's something.
Hostess filed for bankruptcy late last year. The company blamed unions for the bakery's demise.
Apollo Global Management and Metropoulos & Co. bought five of Hostess Brands Inc. bakeries -- Twinkies being one -- but will only operate four.
Distribution will be outsourced to outside trucking firms.
Many of the other iconic Hostess brands, including Wonder Bread, will most likely be purchased by Flowers Foods for $360 million. Flowers has not commented on staffing decisions yet, as the deal is still in the works.
Around 18,500 people were working for Hostess when the company shut its doors. Only 20% to 25% of those jobs will return when the all of the Hostess brands are fully up and running.
While the full employment situation has yet to be sorted out, you can rest assured that the country's favorite plastic-wrapped cake is back on the market -- and is that much closer to surviving the apocalypse.
Follow Sara Ventiera on Twitter, @saraventiera.
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