The 1970s were a vibrant time of innovation and experimentation, not just in cultural arenas like music and fashion but also in the more mundane context of supermarket aisles. This era introduced consumers to an array of bizarre supermarket products, many of which have since faded into obscurity. From space-themed snacks to peculiar convenience foods, the ’70s were a time when the grocery shopping experience was anything but ordinary. Let’s dive into a nostalgic journey and explore 15 of these oddities, shedding light on their brief moments in the sun and their eventual disappearance from our shelves.
1. Fizzies Drink Tablets
Fizzies offered a fun, novel way to create a carbonated drink by dropping a flavored tablet into water. While the concept was popular among kids in the ’70s, concerns over artificial ingredients and the rise of ready-to-drink sodas and flavored waters led to Fizzies’ decline
2. TV Dinners in Foil Trays
The ’70s solidified the TV dinner’s place in American culture, with foil trays partitioned to separate the main course from the sides. These convenient meals catered to the era’s busy lifestyles and the growing trend of meals in front of the television. However, with the rise of microwave cooking and growing health consciousness, the classic foil-tray TV dinner has become a nostalgic artifact, replaced by healthier and microwave-friendly options.
3. Celery Flavored Jell-O
The ’70s witnessed a Jell-O flavor experimentation phase, introducing savory options like celery-flavored Jell-O. Intended for use in salads and aspics, this unusual flavor catered to the era’s adventurous culinary spirit. However, as culinary trends shifted towards fresher, less processed foods, such savory Jell-O flavors vanished from the shelves, leaving many to question their existence in the first place.
4. Tang
The powdered orange-flavored drink mix Tang is synonymous with ’70s beverage culture, partly due to its association with NASA’s space missions. Although Tang is still available today, its prominence and the fascination surrounding it have significantly dwindled as consumers have turned towards fresher, less processed juice options.
5. Breakfast Squares
General Mills’ Breakfast Squares were touted as a complete breakfast in bar form, offering busy ’70s consumers a quick and convenient meal option. Despite their initial appeal, changing breakfast habits and the rise of more health-conscious bar options led to the disappearance of Breakfast Squares from supermarket shelves.
6. Tab Cola
Tab, the diet soda of the ’70s, catered to calorie-conscious consumers with its distinctive pink can and unique taste. Despite its initial success, Tab’s popularity waned with the introduction of Diet Coke and growing concerns over its artificial sweetener, leading to its gradual disappearance from the market.
7. Canned Hamburgers
In the 1970s, food companies introduced one of the more unusual convenience foods: canned hamburgers. These fully cooked hamburgers were sealed in cans, much like traditional canned meats, providing a quick meal option that only required reheating. The concept of a canned hamburger was a novelty that played into the era’s fascination with convenience foods and the burgeoning fast-food culture. Despite the practicality it offered in terms of shelf-stability and ease of preparation, the idea of a hamburger coming out of a can was met with mixed reactions.
8. Cereal Box Prizes
In the world of bizarre supermarket products, few were as fun as these additions to a breakfast staple. The thrill of finding a toy or a collectible inside a cereal box was a quintessential part of ’70s breakfast culture. However, concerns over safety and changing marketing strategies have made such surprises rare, transforming cereal box prizes into a cherished memory of a simpler time.
9. Shake ‘n Bake
Shake ‘n Bake offered families a simple way to prepare breaded chicken or pork without frying. Its popularity soared in the ’70s, thanks to its convenience and the iconic advertising slogan. While still available, Shake ‘n Bake’s prominence has faded as home cooks have become more health-conscious and interested in diverse, global cuisines.
10. Fondue
Fondue sets became the centerpiece of social gatherings in the ’70s, embodying the era’s communal and experimental dining spirit. Although fondue has seen periodic revivals, the popularity of fondue sets as a supermarket staple has not returned, as modern dining trends have shifted towards more individualized and quick meal solutions.
11. Toastettes
Toastettes were Nabisco’s answer to the toaster pastry craze, offering a quick, warm breakfast or snack option straight from the toaster. Despite their convenience, Toastettes couldn’t keep up with the competition and changing breakfast habits, leading to their eventual discontinuation and making them a forgotten relic of ’70s breakfast tables.
12. Fryin’ Magic and Bakin’ Magic
The ’70s saw the rise of Fryin’ Magic and Bakin’ Magic, two seasoned coating mixes designed to make meal preparation easier and more flavorful. Fryin’ Magic promised to turn any piece of meat into a crispy, fried delight, while Bakin’ Magic was tailored for those who preferred their meals baked. These products tapped into the convenience food trend of the era, offering home cooks a simple way to add zest to their dishes with minimal effort. However, as culinary trends shifted towards fresher, less processed ingredients and more diverse flavors, the popularity of these mixes waned.
13. Chiffon Margarine
Chiffon Margarine, advertised for being “so like butter it’s magic,” was a hit for its light, fluffy texture and buttery taste. Despite its popularity, shifts towards natural and unprocessed fats led to a decline in margarine’s popularity, with Chiffon becoming a nostalgic footnote in culinary history.
14. Space Food Sticks
Amid the space race fervor, Space Food Sticks emerged as a terrestrial taste of astronaut life. These chewy, nutrient-packed snacks were designed to mimic the food consumed by astronauts, offering kids and adults alike a glimpse into space travel’s culinary side. Despite their initial popularity fueled by space obsession, the decline in space race excitement led to the disappearance of Space Food Sticks, relegating them to the annals of quirky food history.
15. Jell-O 1-2-3
Jell-O 1-2-3 was a dessert marvel that separated into three layers upon setting: a creamy top, a mousse middle, and a clear Jell-O bottom. This visually striking dessert captured the imaginations of the ’70s households but eventually fell out of favor as dessert preferences evolved towards more natural and less artificially flavored options.
These Bizarre Supermarket Products from the ’70s Represent the Era
These bizarre supermarket products from the ’70s are a testament to the era’s innovative spirit and willingness to experiment. While many of these items have vanished or become less prominent, they remain a fascinating glimpse into the past, highlighting how much our culinary tastes and cultural trends have evolved over the decades.
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Catherine is a tech-savvy writer who has focused on the personal finance space for more than eight years. She has a Bachelor’s in Information Technology and enjoys showcasing how tech can simplify everyday personal finance tasks like budgeting, spending tracking, and planning for the future. Additionally, she’s explored the ins and outs of the world of side hustles and loves to share what she’s learned along the way. When she’s not working, you can find her relaxing at home in the Pacific Northwest with her two cats or enjoying a cup of coffee at her neighborhood cafe.
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