10 Products That Changed Packaging and Sparked Backlash
These products introduced bold packaging changes that stirred up unexpected consumer backlash.
- Chris Graciano
- 2 min read
Packaging can make or break a product. When brands decided to update their look, not every customer was excited. From soda cans to household goods, here are 10 times packaging changes sparked outrage instead of applause.
1. Tropicana Orange Juice (2009 Redesign)
Ryshy S on Pexels
Tropicana swapped its iconic orange-with-straw logo for a minimalist design. Loyal buyers said it looked generic and confusing, causing sales to plummet.
2. Coke’s White Holiday Cans (2011)
Kevin Trotman on Flickr
Coca-Cola introduced sleek white cans to celebrate polar bears and winter. Instead of delight, customers complained the cans looked too much like Diet Coke.
3. Pringles Can Size Changes
Diana ✨ on Pexels
Pringles adjusted the can’s height, leaving snack lovers feeling shortchanged. Fans accused the brand of “shrinkflation” while still charging the same price.
4. Cadbury Chocolate Bar Wrappers
Nikhil . on Unsplash
When Cadbury switched from foil-and-paper wrapping to plastic, fans felt the magic was gone. The old packaging had a ritual-like unwrapping process that consumers missed.
5. Heinz Ketchup Upside-Down Bottle
Brett Jordan on Unsplash
Heinz thought an upside-down squeeze bottle would solve ketchup struggles. Instead, critics argued it wasted more product stuck at the top.
6. Starbucks Holiday Cups (2015)
James Milstid on Flickr
A plain red holiday cup from Starbucks was meant to be simple and festive. Instead, critics accused the company of removing traditional Christmas imagery.
7. Pepsi Logo Overhaul (2008)
NIKHIL on Unsplash
Pepsi unveiled a redesigned logo and sleeker bottles to modernize its brand. Instead of excitement, many thought it looked cheap compared to Coke’s timeless design.
8. Aunt Jemima Rebranding (2020)
Mark Mathosian on Flickr
When Aunt Jemima announced a packaging change and eventual name removal, reactions were divided. Some applauded the shift, while others felt nostalgia was being erased.
9. Crystal Pepsi Packaging
Farside268 on Wikimedia Commons
Crystal Pepsi’s clear packaging was marketed as futuristic and pure. While intriguing, many people associated it with medicine or cleaning products.
10. Lay’s Bag Size Shrinkage
Đan Thy Nguyễn Mai on Pexels
Lay’s chips have faced repeated criticism for oversized bags filled mostly with air. Consumers felt cheated, believing they were paying more for less product.