Do these canned foods make you feel nostalgic?
Maybe you don’t like this idea, but a lot of the things we eat come in a can. Well, this is not a bad thing, actually; canned vegetables, for example, are still wonderful for your health in the same way fresh ones are. Actually, the content of nutrients might also be higher in cans than in fresh ones.
Unfortunately, there are some canned foods that are no longer available, and this is such a shame considering that many used to be all-time favorites. So, today we want to discuss some of the most beloved discontinued canned foods. Their disappearance shook the world, and this is why we believe that we should always remember them.
Which one is your favorite, and would you give anything for it to make a comeback? Read on and find out more!
Pumpkin spice SPAM
This used to be a limited-edition flavor that was introduced by Hormel Foods in the fall of 2019. Yes, some might say that this is an unusual flavor for this type of canned foods, but overall this aroma intrigued the consumers and made them love it.
With this product, SPAM managed to combine the classic savory taste of SPAM with the taste of fall. The nice and savory pork was successfully blended with cinnamon, clove, allspice, and nutmeg, and this is how Pumpkin Spice SPAM was born.
At its release, this flavor was available only online on SPAM.com and Walmart.com. But after the whole stock was out in less than seven hours, the producing company realized that this was a big hit. People were incredibly curious about this unconventional offering.
They managed to integrate the pumpkin spice SPAM in various foods such as waffles and frittatas or grilled cheese sandwiches. Unfortunately, this one of the canned foods was a limited edition and has not returned to shelves since its initial release.
Altoids Sours
They were introduced in 2004 and used to be one of the best canned foods out there. Well, they were not really food because they were mints, but they were wonderful, and people wanted back those amazing favors. They were different from the traditional mint flavor and offered flavors such as apple, raspberry, mango, citrus, and tangerine.
Another thing that made these mints so popular was the ingenious package. The iconic Altoids tins will never be forgotten, and they used to be both practical and aesthetically pleasing.
However, despite their initial popularity, Mars, the parent company, discontinued the product in 2010 due to low national demand. But even with this, the removal of Altoids Sours created a whole fuss. The public was outraged, and they were sure everyone was aware of it. Fans of the flavors started numerous petitions on platforms like Change.org because they wanted Altoids Sours back.
The mints never came back, and unopened packs of Altoids Sours became collector items. They even used to be sold on eBay and other online markets for high prices.
Chef Boyardee Roller Coasters
In the mid-1970s, Chef Boyardee introduced Roller Coasters, a canned pasta product featuring wavy-shaped noodles designed to resemble the curves of a roller coaster. People loved amusement parks, and their enthusiasm made them love this type of pasta. Of all the canned foods released in the 1970s, this was for sure a giant hit.
The package was designed in such a manner that it was liked by both kids and adults. The colors were vibrant and showed a couple of animated children waiting for their meal. Maybe this sounds boring when you read about it, but if you see the picture, you will totally understand it.
However, after its initial popularity, this pasta needed to overcome some real challenges. Maintaining the interest of its consumers became harder and harder, and in the end, during the late 80s, the product was finally discontinued.
Many fans were disappointed after this decision, and all the nostalgia made them create online communities where they started to discuss their favorite childhood meal. But even if people were passionate about it, Chef Boyardee still has to reintroduce the roller coasters. They are not yet available, but people still have hope.
Pringles Ramen Chicken-Flavored
It was July 2017 when Pringles decided to collaborate with Nissin, and this is how they introduced a new and revolutionary flavor, Top Ramen Chicken. The idea was to create the perfect blend between the Pringles chips and the savory aroma of the chicken ramen.
The produce was found only at Dollar General stores, and one canister was priced at around $1.50. There were a lot of discussions regarding this new flavor at that time, but eventually, the reactions of the consumers were mixed. Some were truly enthusiastic about the flavor that perfectly imitated the one of the instant ramen, while others found it quite fake and chimical.
Yes, there was some criticism, but eventually, the flavor was popular enough that Pringles decided to re-release the Top Ramen Chicken flavor in April 2018. Once again the flavor was available as a limited edition only in Dollar General stores. After this, it was discontinued, but this is for sure one of the canned foods we want back.
Jolt Cola
Maybe this is more a part of the canned drinks and not canned foods, but no matter its category, Jolt Cola remains a staple. Introduced in 1985 by C.J. Rapp, this was a total blast and was advertised as a drink that was able to offer all the sugar and also twice the amount of caffeine. This was what Jolt Cola had to offer when compared to other soft drinks.
All the marketing strategy was focused on the high caffeine content, and it was always compared to energy drinks. The product was not a regular cola. Initially, it had a lot of success, but over the years challenges started to appear.
The company filed for bankruptcy protection in 2009, leading to the brand’s disappearance from the market. But in 2024, the sports supplement brand Redcon1 announced that they plan to re-release the Jolt Cola. They said the drink will be available in both regular and zero-sugar versions.
Lifesavers Soda
In the early 1980s, the creators of Life Savers candy decided that it was time to enter into the world of beverages, and for this, they transformed their candies into a drink. The Life Savers were found in more flavors, such as pineapple, orange, grape, fruit punch, and lime. Experts considered that the flavor was very accurate and perfectly mimicked the candy version. This is quite rare, and as a result, this soda was a real success at the taste tests.
Unfortunately, the public was disappointed by this accuracy. They’ve called it “liquid candy,” and this has probably led to the lackluster sales. Considering these challenges, the product was discontinued by 1982.
Are there any canned foods you want to make a comeback? Tell us more about your favorites in the comments!
If you liked the tin packages of Altoids Sours and you want them back, you need to check out these: Metal Rectangular Empty Hinged Tins
You should also read more about: 8 Things You Can Get Cheaper at Costco
