UPDATE: Kroger confirmed expanded distribution of Hydrox Cookies at its stores.

Hydrox, the original sandwich cookie relaunched last year by a Newport Beach product reviver, will start sales at Kroger-affiliated stores nationwide, the producer, Leaf Brands LLC, said this week.

Kroger, which has nearly 2,800 stores in 35 states, began stocking Hydrox in most of its outlets, a Leaf Brands press release said.

In addition to its own name brand, Kroger runs Ralphs, Fry’s Foods, King Soopers, and Dillon and Jay C stores, among others. But Kroger has yet to include distribution in its Food 4 Less and Harris Teeter outlets, said CEO Ellia Kassoff.

“This is our first national program,” said Kassoff, adding that the deal adds about 2,300 stores carrying Hydrox.

A spokesman for Kroger confirmed the deal.

“We’re excited to welcome Hydrox back to our stores nationwide,” said Keith Dailey, Kroger’s media relations director.

Kassoff, who is behind a revival of lapsed candy and department store brands, made national headlines after Hydrox resumed production in September. The snack had been on the losing end of a century-long cookie war with Oreo, one of the world’s best-selling cookies.

Hydrox disappeared after its 100-year anniversary in 2008. Nostalgic fans created websites with hundreds of posts dedicated to the cookie’s revival. Public Radio’s “Planet Money” did a podcast tracking how Kassoff resurrected the product’s lost recipe using tasters from across the country who had been devout Hydrox fans.

The cookie resembles Oreos in looks and flavor, but is slightly less sweet, said Kassoff, who grew up eating Hydrox because Oreos weren’t kosher at the time (they now are).

In addition to Kroger-affiliated stores, Hydrox is being sold in Gelson’s markets, Wegman’s stores in the Northeast and at Dierberg’s and Schnuk’s, both in St. Louis.

Kassoff recently reached an out-of-court settlement with Macy’s over his attempt to seek federal trademarks on two dozen defunct department stores that had merged with the department store chain. The settlement gives him rights to use seven store names, including Robinson’s, May Co., Bullocks and I. Magnin.

Other brands revived by Kassoff include Astro Pops, Tart ‘n’ Tinys and Screaming Yellow Zonkers.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7734 or jcollins@ocregister.com