7 Discontinued Canned Foods That We Likely Won’t See Again

Whether you love them or not, canned foods make up a significant part of the American diet. With iconic brands like Campbell's, StarKist, and Eagle Foods, many products have stood the test of time, but others have been left behind.

When it comes to discontinued food items, the list of failures and flops is extensive. Some of these canned items saw a brief spike in popularity but have since faded into obscurity, with little desire for their return.

Chef Boyardee Roller Coasters

It’s easy to understand why a can labeled 'Roller Coasters' would be a favorite among kids. Released in the mid-1970s, the pasta came in shapes designed to mimic the winding loops of an amusement park ride. Despite its eye-catching packaging, playful name, and tiny meatballs, the product wasn’t quite the sensation they hoped for, and Chef Boyardee pulled it from shelves by the late '80s.

Chef Boyardee Zooroni

Similar to Roller Coasters, nostalgic fans of Chef Boyardee’s vintage pastas may consider Zooroni a true classic. This pasta came in animal shapes (such as elephants, camels, and giraffes) and featured the same tangy tomato sauce found in the brand’s other offerings. Though it disappeared by 1982, children from that era may recall TV ads for it, alongside promotions for Pac-Man and Smurf pasta.

Altoids Sours

Altoids Sours hit the market in 2004, offering five fruity flavors: apple, raspberry, mango, citrus, and tangerine. Unlike the usual minty Altoids, these were a bold twist, with a tangy sour punch. Unfortunately, they lasted only six years before Mars, the parent company, pulled them from shelves in 2010 due to what they cited as 'low national demand,' a representative told Bustle. However, the discontinuation sparked a major public outcry, including a Change.org petition to revive the product, and sealed tins now regularly sell for hundreds of dollars on eBay.

Jolt Cola

Teens from the ‘80s and ‘90s will definitely recall getting a 'jolt' from this sugary energy soda, which was a staple in convenience stores back in the day. Jolt Cola made its debut in 1985 and was only recently discontinued in 2019. With a hefty 50 grams of real sugar per can, it lived up to its claim as 'America’s first carbonated energy drink.' It was the original, paving the way for drinks like Red Bull and Monster Energy.

Pringles Top Ramen Chicken-Flavored Chips

Over the years, Procter & Gamble has introduced an impressive variety of flavors for their iconic Pringles chips—more than 166 in total. Some of the most popular include Pizza, Honey Mustard, and Philly Cheesesteak. One flavor that stood out was inspired by Nissin’s renowned ramen noodle soup. It became a fan favorite, especially among college students, who swore it tasted just like the real deal, minus the need for boiling water. In 2018, this flavor was briefly re-released and sold in dollar stores nationwide. However, today, finding a can of them is quite a challenge.

Pumpkin Spice SPAM

Yes, you read that correctly. Someone thought it would be a great idea to combine savory pork and ham with the autumnal spices of nutmeg, cloves, and allspice. The suggestion was to chop it up and mix it with waffles or eggs for a fall-themed brunch. A few adventurous tasters at Food & Wine even claimed it could be tolerable when drizzled with maple syrup. SPAM enthusiasts may look back on this limited-edition release with a certain nostalgia, but it’s probably best that it’s now a thing of the past.

Lifesavers Soda

Life Savers soda was a short-lived experiment that hit the shelves in the mid-1990s. Created by Mars, the same company behind the iconic candy, this liquid candy drink came in five flavors: pineapple, orange, grape, fruit punch, and lime. Despite being designed to rival beverages like Snapple and Fruitopia, it failed to capture consumer interest, leading to its quick discontinuation. Mars returned to its candy roots shortly after.