14 Popular Products That Mysteriously Got Pulled from Shelves
These well-known products were once everywhere, but suddenly disappeared without much explanation. Some were discontinued quietly, while others vanished without warning. Whether it was safety concerns, lawsuits, or behind-the-scenes decisions, their disappearance surprised people.
- Tricia Quitales
- 3 min read
Sometimes, the products we love just disappear from stores, leaving us wondering what happened. While a few get discontinued for low sales, others vanish for stranger reasons. In this article, we highlight 14 popular products that were mysteriously pulled from shelves. Some had issues behind closed doors, but the public was often left guessing.
1. Pepsi Blue
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Launched in the early 2000s, Pepsi Blue was a bright, berry-flavored soda. It gained a cult following but was suddenly pulled without clear reasons. Many believe backlash over artificial coloring played a role.
2. McDonald’s Szechuan Sauce
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Originally released in 1998 as a movie tie-in, the Szechuan Sauce became famous again after a cartoon referenced it. McDonald’s briefly brought it back, but it disappeared once more without much notice. Fans still ask for its return.
3. Google Glass
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Google Glass was a futuristic smart wearable that created a lot of buzz. However, concerns over privacy and safety quickly followed. Google stopped selling it quietly, and the product faded from public view.
4. Crystal Pepsi
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This clear cola looked like water but tasted like Pepsi. It was launched with major hype in the ’90s but confused customers. After a short time on shelves, it vanished without much explanation.
5. Heinz EZ Squirt Colored Ketchup
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Heinz once made ketchup in bright colors like purple and green to appeal to kids. It was popular at first, but quickly lost its charm. The product quietly disappeared after a few years.
6. Burger King’s Halloween Whopper
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The burger, which had a black bun, was released for Halloween. However, it gained attention for turning people’s stool green, leading to controversy. It was quietly removed and never returned.
7. Orbitz Drink
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This odd-looking drink had floating gel balls suspended inside a clear liquid. It was released in the ’90s but confused more people than it impressed. Poor sales and strange texture led to its quiet removal.
8. Apple Newton
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The Apple Newton was one of the first digital personal assistants, released in the 1990s. Despite being ahead of its time, it had problems with handwriting recognition and a high price. Apple eventually pulled it without making a big deal.
9. WOW Chips (Olestra)
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WOW Chips were fat-free chips made with a fat substitute called Olestra. They were popular until people started complaining of digestive issues, and the chips were pulled without much warning.
10. Colgate Kitchen Entrees
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Colgate, known for toothpaste, once tried selling frozen meals. The idea confused consumers and didn’t fit the brand. It quietly disappeared from stores soon after launch.
11. Sony MiniDisc
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Sony’s MiniDisc was meant to replace CDs and cassettes with a smaller, digital option. However, it was expensive and failed to catch on with the public. Sony quietly discontinued it as other formats became more popular.
12. Microsoft Zune
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Zune was Microsoft’s answer to the iPod. Despite strong marketing, it never reached the same popularity and faced several technical problems. Microsoft slowly pulled the plug without a loud goodbye.
13. New Coke
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In 1985, Coca-Cola tried to change its classic recipe and released “New Coke.” People hated it, and the backlash was immediate. Coke quietly brought the original formula back and phased out the new version.
14. Reebok’s EasyTone Shoes
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These shoes promised to tone muscles just by walking. The claims led to a lawsuit and a settlement over false advertising. Not long after, the product quietly vanished from stores.