15 Childhood Snacks That Got Discontinued for Strange Reasons
Take a nostalgic bite into the past with these 15 beloved childhood snacks that mysteriously disappeared from shelves.
- Chris Graciano
- 4 min read
Some of the best parts of growing up were the snacks that defined our childhood — until they vanished without warning. From bizarre legal issues to questionable ingredients, these discontinued treats disappeared for reasons that are as surprising as they are strange. Dive into this list and see which of your childhood favorites made the cut and why they didn’t last.
1. Butterfinger BB’s
Judgefloro on Wikimedia Commons
These bite-sized balls of Butterfinger goodness became iconic thanks to Bart Simpson’s endorsement. However, Nestlé discontinued them in 2006, citing production difficulties and their tendency to melt too easily. Fans were crushed, but the product never made a return.
2. Keebler Magic Middles
Dwight Burdette on Wikimedia Commons
With a soft cookie shell and gooey chocolate or peanut butter inside, Magic Middles were a lunchtime legend. Despite their popularity, they disappeared in the early 2000s. Speculation blames rising production costs or shifting brand priorities.
3. Dunkaroos (Original Formula)
kirsch on Wikimedia Commons
These cookie-and-frosting snack packs were a ’90s lunchbox staple. While they were re-released, the original frosting recipe never returned, disappointing die-hard fans.
4. PB Crisps
orangebrompton on Flickr
Released by Planters, PB Crisps were crunchy peanut-shaped shells filled with sweet peanut butter crème. They were oddly addictive yet disappeared suddenly in the mid-’90s. High production costs and poor marketing might have killed them off.
5. Oreo O’s (With Marshmallows)
Explicit on Wikimedia Commons
Oreo O’s were epic enough, but the marshmallow-filled version took breakfast to another level. Licensing disputes between Kraft and Post Foods led to its downfall in 2007.
6. Jell-O Pudding Pops
Chris Larkee on Flickr
These frozen treats, endorsed by Bill Cosby, were once a freezer aisle staple. Jell-O discontinued them in the early 2000s, citing declining sales.
7. Kudos Bars
Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash
Originally marketed as a healthy granola snack, Kudos Bars blurred the line between snack and candy. Over time, they became more candy than granola, loaded with chocolate and sugary coatings. Mars Inc. discontinued them quietly, possibly due to brand confusion or changing health trends.
8. Hershey’s Swoops
eklim on Flickr
These Pringles-shaped chocolate slices launched in 2003 and failed by 2006. The concept was cool, but the chocolate melted too fast and confused shoppers. Many didn’t understand if they were chips or candy.
9. Pepsi Blue
Like_the_Grand_Canyon on Flickr
Okay, not a snack — but it accompanied many. This electric blue soda launched in 2002 with a berry-flavored twist. It was pulled in 2004 due to poor sales and criticism of its neon color.
10. Trix Yogurt
frogses production on Unsplash
Swirled with bright, unnatural colors, Trix Yogurt was a lunchtime thrill. It quietly disappeared from shelves in the 2010s. General Mills cited a lack of demand, but many point to a growing backlash over artificial dyes.
11. 3D Doritos (Original)
Kaboompics.com on Pexels
These puffed-up chips debuted in the late ’90s, delivering crunch in a new dimension. They were discontinued in the early 2000s, possibly due to complicated production or lukewarm sales.
12. Planters Cheez Balls
Liam Lyons on Pexels
A bright orange, cheesy explosion in a canister, these snacks were discontinued in 2006. Fans were furious, leading to multiple petitions for their return.
13. Sprite Remix
TeemPlayer on Wikimedia Commons
These tropical-flavored Sprite variants were huge in the early 2000s. Coca-Cola discontinued them due to declining sales and market confusion. The “Remix” label might have been too ahead of its time.
14. Altoids Tangerine Sours
Altoids Sours on Flickr
A sharp departure from the brand’s minty roots, Altoids Sours packed a flavorful punch. Discontinued around 2010, fans still hunt for expired tins online. The reason? They weren’t selling well enough, despite cult popularity.
15. Fruit String Thing
Tara Winstead on Pexels
These wild, squiggly snacks were basically edible string art. They vanished in the early 2000s, with no clear reason from Betty Crocker. Some say low nutritional value and parental pressure killed them.