18 Grocery Store Items from the ’80s You’ll Never See Again

These long-lost grocery store items from the ‘80s were once staples in pantries but have since vanished, leaving behind only nostalgia.

Sophia Zapanta
March 25, 2025
6 min read

18 Grocery Store Items from the ’80s You’ll Never See Again — RF._.studio _ on Pexels

The ‘80s were a golden era of bold flavors, neon packaging, and questionable nutritional value, but many of those iconic grocery items have disappeared. Whether it was due to changing tastes, health concerns, or companies simply moving on, these products are now just distant memories. If you grew up in the ‘80s, prepare for a trip down memory lane as we revisit 18 grocery store items that no longer exist.

1. Jell-O Pudding Pops

Famartin on Wikimedia Commons

Jell-O Pudding Pops were the ultimate frozen treat, combining smooth, creamy pudding with the joy of an ice pop. They were rich, chocolatey, and had a unique texture that set them apart from regular ice cream bars. Sadly, they melted out of existence due to declining sales and marketing changes. Some brands have attempted knockoffs, but nothing comes close to the original.

2. Hubba Bubba Soda

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Someone in the ‘80s thought, “Why not turn bubblegum into a drink?” Thus, Hubba Bubba Soda was born. It was bright pink, incredibly sweet, and somehow managed to taste exactly like the famous gum. Unfortunately, people realized they preferred chewing their gum, not drinking it, and the soda quickly fizzled out.

3. Giggles Cookies

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Giggles Cookies were like Oreo’s playful cousin, featuring two smiley-faced shortbread cookies with a chocolate or vanilla filling. They were fun, delicious, and had a charm that made them a childhood favorite. Despite their popularity, they mysteriously disappeared from shelves, leaving fans wondering what went wrong. Some still hold out hope for a comeback, but it’s just wishful thinking so far.

4. Keebler Magic Middles

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Keebler Magic Middles were cookie perfection—a buttery shortbread exterior with a gooey fudge-filled center. Biting into one felt like discovering hidden treasure, making it a top-tier lunchbox treat. Keebler pulled them from production, much to the dismay of fans who still beg for their return. Every now and then, someone starts a petition, but the elves remain silent.

5. Crystal Pepsi

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Crystal Pepsi was a bold experiment—cola without the caramel color. It tasted almost like regular Pepsi but had a weirdly futuristic vibe that didn’t catch on. After a short-lived run, it disappeared, only to make a few limited-time comebacks over the years. While some loved it, most agreed it was more of a gimmick than a game-changer.

6. P.B. Crisps

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Planters P.B. Crisps were the ultimate peanut butter snack—crispy, sweet shells filled with creamy peanut butter goodness. They were a huge hit, beloved by kids and adults alike. Planters discontinued them for reasons no one fully understands, breaking hearts everywhere. To this day, fans still dream of their return, but the peanut trail has gone cold.

7. Ecto Cooler

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Ecto Cooler was Hi-C’s neon green, Ghostbusters-themed juice box that tasted like citrus heaven. It became a massive hit, outlasting the original movie’s hype and sticking around for years. Eventually, Hi-C pulled the plug, and fans were devastated. It briefly returned when the Ghostbusters reboot came out, but it vanished just as quickly.

8. Carnation Breakfast Bars

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These weren’t just breakfast bars; they were childhood fuel wrapped in a crinkly wrapper. Packed with vitamins, chocolate, and a slightly chalky texture, they felt like a health food win at the time. Unfortunately, their recipe didn’t stand the test of time, and they were discontinued. Today’s protein bars don’t have the same nostalgic magic.

9. Waffelos Cereal

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Waffelos Cereal brought the taste of syrupy waffles to your morning routine. The little waffle-shaped pieces were crispy and sweet and smelled like a Sunday breakfast. Despite its loyal fanbase, it vanished, likely due to shifting cereal trends. Now, the only place you’ll find Waffelos is in old commercials on YouTube.

10. Altoids Sours

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These weren’t from the ‘80s but deserve an honorary mention for their sudden and tragic disappearance. Altoids Sours were intensely tangy and addictive, and they came in a pocket-sized tin that always seemed to empty too fast. Fans still mourn their loss and occasionally try to recreate them at home. Sadly, no bootleg version has ever truly captured their magic.

11. Dunkaroos

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Dunkaroos were the snack-time MVP—sweet vanilla cookies paired with a little tub of frosting for dipping. They were wildly popular, but at some point, they disappeared from U.S. shelves, much to the horror of ’90s kids. Luckily, after years of outcry, they made a triumphant comeback in recent years. It’s one of the rare cases where nostalgia won the battle against corporate decision-making.

12. Oreo Big Stuf

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Oreo Big Stuf took everything great about Oreo and supersized it into a massive, palm-sized cookie. It was perfect for those who thought regular Oreos were too small but also too much for a single sitting. The size proved to be its downfall, and it was discontinued in the early ‘90s. Fans still reminisce about its glory, but we’ll unlikely ever see it again.

13. Kudos Granola Bars

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Kudos were granola bars disguised as candy bars, often drenched in chocolate and studded with M&Ms. They felt like a healthier alternative to candy, even though they weren’t. Unfortunately, they disappeared from shelves, possibly due to shifting health trends. Granola bars still exist, but none bring the same level of joy as Kudos.

14. Pizza Spins

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Pizza Spins were small, crispy snacks packed with cheesy, tomatoey pizza flavor. They had a devoted fanbase, but for reasons unknown, they were discontinued. People still talk about them as one of the greatest lost snacks of all time. If they ever made a comeback, they’d sell out in seconds.

15. Pizzarias Chips

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Pizzarias Chips were everything you’d want in a pizza-flavored chip—crispy, cheesy, and loaded with herbs. They were wildly popular in the late ‘80s but disappeared seemingly overnight. Despite their absence, fans still rave about their unmatched taste. No modern pizza-flavored chip has ever come close.

16. Squeezit

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Squeezit was the ultimate lunchbox drink—brightly colored, fun to squeeze, and packed with artificial fruit flavors. It was basically liquid sugar, which might explain why parents weren’t huge fans. Eventually, sales dropped, and the squeezable bottles disappeared forever. Nothing quite captures the same chaotic energy as chugging a Squeezit on the playground.

17. Hidden Treasures Cereal

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Hidden Treasures Cereal was part breakfast, part game—some pieces had a fruity filling, and some didn’t. The surprise element made it fun but wasn’t enough to keep it around. It quietly disappeared, leaving behind only fond memories. Today’s cereals feel way less exciting in comparison.

18. Crispy M&M’s

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Crispy M&M’s were a crunchy, airy twist on the classic chocolate candy, and people loved them. Sadly, they vanished in the early 2000s, leaving fans heartbroken. After years of begging, they finally returned, proving that some lost snacks get a second chance. If only the same could be said for the rest of this list.