18 Grocery Products from the Past You’ll Never See Again

Some grocery items from past decades were beloved, while others were just plain odd. Whether due to poor sales, changing tastes, or corporate shifts, many of these products have quietly disappeared. For those who remember them, they are part of a grocery history that won’t be repeated.

1. Jell-O 1-2-3

BrandOpus on Wikimedia Commons

After chilling, this dessert separated into three layers — jelly on the bottom and creamy on top. It was introduced in the 1960s and lasted until the mid-1990s. The preparation was simple, but the science behind the layers made it feel special. General Foods discontinued it after demand dropped.

2. Heinz EZ Squirt Ketchup

Frank Vincentz on Wikimedia Commons

Launched in 2000 and gone by 2006, this ketchup came in colors like green, purple, and blue. It was aimed at kids, with squeezable bottles and neon sauces. Parents were skeptical, and kids eventually lost interest. Heinz pulled it from stores without plans for a return.  

3. Planters Cheez Balls (original run)

Willis Lam on Wikimedia Commons

Planters introduced Cheez Balls in the 1980s in a blue canister that became iconic. They were crunchy and salty and left bright orange residue. The snack was discontinued in 2006 due to low sales. A limited comeback happened in 2018, but the original version was gone for over a decade.  

4. Libby’s Fruit Float

Libby’s on Wikimedia Commons

This was a whipped fruit dessert in a can, launched in the 1970s. You chilled it and then spooned it into bowls; it had a mousse-like texture. Flavors included strawberry, orange, and pineapple. It never gained long-term popularity and quietly disappeared.

5. PB Max

Bodo on Wikimedia Commons

Mars introduced PB Max in 1989. It featured peanut butter, oats, and a cookie layer covered in chocolate. Despite decent sales, the company discontinued it in the mid-1990s. The company reportedly pulled it because it didn’t want to focus on peanut butter products.

6. Crystal Pepsi

Mike Mozart on Wikimedia Commons

This clear cola from PepsiCo hit shelves in 1992. It was marketed as a “pure” soda with no caffeine or coloring. The novelty wore off quickly, and it was pulled within a year. Pepsi has brought it back in short-term limited runs, but not as a regular product.  

7. Nabisco Giggles Cookies

Bryan H Bell on Wikimedia Commons

Giggles were sandwich cookies with smiling faces cut into the top layer. Inside was a cream and jelly filling, usually vanilla with strawberry or grape. They were sold through the ‘80s and early ‘90s. Poor sales and competition with Oreos led to the discontinuation.

8. Kellogg’s Product 19 Cereal

Th78blue on Wikimedia Commons

This high-vitamin cereal was introduced in 1967 and marketed as healthy and balanced. It had a very plain flavor and was often compared to Total. Interest faded over the decades, and Kellogg’s discontinued it in 2016.

9. Gerber Singles

MOs810 on Wikimedia Commons

Launched in 1974, Gerber Singles were jars of adult-targeted baby food. Flavors included beef burgundy, peas and ham, and more. It was marketed to single adults and college students. Sales were terrible, and it was quickly discontinued.  

10. Hershey’s Bar None

Jacek Halicki on Wikimedia Commons

Bar None launched in 1987 and was designed to compete with Kit Kat. It had chocolate wafers, chocolate cream, and a chocolate coating. In the early ‘90s, Hershey changed the formula, which hurt sales. It was removed from the shelves shortly afterward.

11. Wonder Bread’s Hostess Pudding Pies

Dwight Burdette on Wikimedia Commons

These snack pies were sold under the Hostess brand and filled with chocolate, banana, or vanilla pudding. The outside was glazed and shelf-stable. They were popular in the ‘70s and ‘80s but disappeared by the early 2000s. Hostess has not reissued them since.

12. Kellogg’s Banana Frosted Flakes

Bindydad123 on Wikimedia Commons

This cereal was released in the late ‘80s as a banana-flavored twist on Frosted Flakes. It had artificial banana flavoring and the same sugary coating. However, it was quickly pulled due to poor reception, and Kellogg’s has since avoided bringing it back.

13. Campbell’s Pepper Pot Soup

Campbell’s Soup Company on Wikimedia Commons

This spicy tripe-based soup dates back over a century. It was once a staple in the U.S. and part of Campbell’s original lineup. By the 2000s, it was considered outdated and no longer popular, and Campbell discontinued it in 2010.

14. General Mills Sprinkle Spangles

CoolKid1993 on Wikimedia Commons

This cereal debuted in the mid-1990s and featured star-shaped pieces covered in sprinkles. It was marketed to kids with a genie mascot and flashy colors. Parents didn’t love the sugar content, and kids lost interest. It was discontinued after a short run.

15. Coca-Cola BlāK

Josh Hallett on Wikimedia Commons

Coca-Cola BlāK launched in 2006 and mixed cola with coffee. The drink had a small caffeine boost and a rich, slightly bitter taste. It was ahead of its time but confused many consumers. Coca-Cola pulled it in 2008.

16. Keebler Tato Skins

Evan-Amos on Wikimedia Commons

These baked potato chip snacks were launched in the 1980s. They claimed to be made from real potato skins and came in flavors like cheddar and bacon. Keebler sold the rights to another company, but the original version faded away. They are no longer found in major grocery stores.

17. Nestlé Alpine White

Nestlé on Wikimedia Commons

This white chocolate bar, which included almonds and had elegant gold packaging, was most popular in the 1980s and early ‘90s. Nestlé discontinued it without much explanation, and it remains a highly requested discontinued product online.

18. Squeezit Drinks

ZolHaj on Wikimedia Commons

These fruit-flavored drinks came in squeezable plastic bottles with faces molded into the shape. They were launched by General Mills in the 1980s and targeted toward children. The drinks were discontinued in the early 2000s. Small re-releases followed, but they never returned permanently.

• Tags:
• grocery
• Nostalgia
• food
• products
• Discontinued