20 Supermarket Brands That Quietly Disappeared
Once staples in grocery aisles, these 20 supermarket brands have vanished from shelves without most shoppers even noticing.
- Chris Graciano
- 4 min read
Supermarket shelves are constantly changing. But some brands disappear so quietly and quickly. Many products have been retired due to changing tastes, corporate buyouts, or declining sales. Here’s a look back at 20 supermarket brands that once filled carts but have since faded into retail history.
1. Jell-O Pudding Pops
Chris Larkee on Flickr
Beloved in the 1980s for their creamy, frozen texture, Jell-O Pudding Pops were a summer staple. Despite their popularity, sales plummeted in the early 2000s as frozen dessert competition grew.
2. Kellogg’s Danish Go-Rounds
EthelRedThePetrolHead on Flickr
These toaster pastries were a flaky, fruit-filled alternative to Pop-Tarts. Introduced in the late ’60s, they offered a buttery crust and generous filling. By the late ’70s, they were gone, overshadowed by the Pop-Tarts brand’s dominance.
3. Heinz Colored Ketchup
SunOfErat on Wikimedia Commons
Launched in wild colors like green and purple, this kid-focused ketchup caused a stir in the early 2000s. Initially a hit, its novelty wore off and sales fizzled.
4. Planters Cheez Balls
Tandem X Visuals on Unsplash
These crunchy, tangy cheese puffs were a pantry favorite in the ’90s. Discontinued in 2006, their absence sparked online petitions for a comeback.
5. Nabisco Swiss Cheese Crackers
twitchery on Flickr
With their airy texture and bold flavor, these crackers stood out in the snack aisle. They enjoyed decades of steady sales before being quietly discontinued in the early 2000s.
6. Campbell’s Pepper Pot Soup
Cameron Adams on Flickr
This hearty soup, inspired by Philadelphia’s colonial-era recipes, featured tripe and bold spices. Changing consumer tastes and lower demand led to its removal from shelves.
7. Doritos 3D’s
Kaboompics.com on Pexels
Puffed and crunchy, Doritos 3D’s were a playful twist on the chip brand. They gained a cult following in the late ’90s before vanishing in the early 2000s.
8. Buitoni Toaster Pizzas
Nestlé on Flickr
Offering a crisp crust straight from the toaster, these mini pizzas were a quick snack solution. They had a loyal niche following but struggled against microwaveable options.
9. Kellogg’s OJ’s Cereal
Mike Mozart on Flickr
This orange-flavored cereal promised the taste of breakfast juice in crunchy form. Kids loved it, but parents balked at the sugar content. It disappeared in the mid-1980s.
10. McDonald’s McDLT (Sold in Supermarket Tie-Ins)
Jim Ellwanger on Flickr
While primarily a fast-food product, McDonald’s briefly sold grocery versions of its McDLT components. Its unusual packaging kept hot and cold separate but drew criticism for excess waste.
11. SnackWell’s Devil’s Food Cookies
Geoff on Wikimedia Commons
A ’90s diet trend favorite, these low-fat cookies became a household name. Sales collapsed as low-fat diets lost popularity.
12. Wrigley’s Hubba Bubba Soda
Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels
This bubblegum-flavored soda was a quirky offshoot of the gum brand. It was sweet, fizzy, and utterly unique, but too niche to survive. By the late ’80s, it was gone.
13. Hershey’s Swoops
eklim on Flickr
Shaped like Pringles, these chocolate slices promised easy snacking without the mess. Despite initial buzz, they never caught on and were discontinued within a few years.
14. Rice Krispies Treats Cereal
Mike Mozart on Flickr
A crunchy, sweet spin on the popular marshmallow bars, this cereal was a hit in the ’90s. Over time, sales slowed, and it vanished from most store shelves. Its loyal fans still lament its loss.
15. Franco-American SpaghettiOs with Meatballs (Original Recipe)
Thomson200 on Wikimedia Commons
While SpaghettiOs still exist, the original meatball recipe was retired. Many fans swear the taste changed when Campbell’s altered the formula.
16. Eggo Cereal
Thomson200 on Wikimedia Commons
Inspired by the popular waffles, Eggo Cereal brought maple flavor to breakfast bowls. It was discontinued in 2012, briefly revived in 2019, then vanished again.
17. Keebler Magic Middles
Emily Carlin on Flickr
These cookies hid a creamy filling inside a buttery shortbread shell. Popular in the ’80s and ’90s, they quietly disappeared due to declining sales. Today, they’re a frequent topic in snack nostalgia forums.
18. Sprite Remix
TeemPlayer on Wikimedia Commons
This tropical-flavored version of Sprite debuted in 2003 and developed a loyal following. It was discontinued after just two years, with occasional limited-time revivals. Fans still clamor for a permanent return.
19. Crystal Pepsi
Smuckola on Wikimedia Commons
This clear cola had a devoted but small fan base in the ’90s. Despite multiple revivals, it never secured a lasting spot in the market. Its unique look remains a pop culture icon.
20. Yoplait Custard Style Yogurt
Willis Lam on Flickr
Known for its rich, dessert-like texture, this yogurt stood out from lighter varieties. Changing diet trends and competition edged it out. It quietly disappeared from stores, leaving a gap in the yogurt aisle.