10 Gimmicky ’60s/’70s Snack Products That Didn’t Last

The 1960s and 1970s introduced a wave of snack foods that aimed to stand out with quirky ideas and flashy marketing. While some became classics, others faded quickly due to odd flavors, impractical packaging, or a lack of real demand. Here are 10 snacks that didn’t stand the test of time.

1. Space Food Sticks

Inspired by the space race, Space Food Sticks were marketed as a futuristic snack. These chewy, cylindrical treats promised nutrition and convenience, mirroring what astronauts ate in orbit. While kids loved the space-themed idea, the bland taste left many unimpressed.

By the late 1970s, interest in astronaut-themed snacks waned, and so did sales. Without flavor to back up the novelty, Space Food Sticks became a relic of the era’s fascination with outer space.

2. Mug-O-Lunch

Mug-O-Lunch aimed to simplify meals by offering dehydrated pasta and sauce that you could prepare in a mug. While it seemed innovative, the watery texture and bland flavors didn’t appeal to many consumers.

The product’s limited portion size and lack of convenience compared to other instant meals also contributed to its downfall. Mug-O-Lunch faded from shelves, leaving behind puzzled customers who had hoped for more.

3. Funny Face Drink Mix

Funny Face Drink Mix was Kool-Aid’s quirky competitor, offering flavors with goofy mascots like Goofy Grape and Freckle-Face Strawberry. Initially popular, the product faced backlash over some character names deemed offensive.

Despite rebranding efforts, Funny Face couldn’t shake its early controversy. Combined with stiff competition from Kool-Aid, the drink mix disappeared, remembered more for its marketing mishaps than its taste.

4. Dippy Canoes

Dippy Canoes were corn chip scoops paired with a small tub of bean dip. While the concept of chips and dip in one package was novel, the chips often arrived broken, making dipping difficult.

The flimsy packaging and inconsistent quality frustrated consumers. Dippy Canoes failed to establish a loyal fan base and were quickly overshadowed by sturdier, more reliable snack options.

5. Koogle Flavored Peanut Butter

Koogle added flavors like chocolate, banana, and cinnamon to traditional peanut butter, hoping to attract adventurous eaters. While some kids loved the novelty, others found the combinations strange and overly sweet.

Adults, who made most household purchases, stuck to regular peanut butter. Without widespread appeal, Koogle vanished, proving that not all peanut butter needs a twist.

6. Pizza Spins

Pizza Spins combined pizza seasoning with a crunchy snack, promising to deliver the taste of pizza in chip form. While the flavor was bold, it didn’t quite replicate the real thing, leaving pizza lovers disappointed.

The chips’ fragile texture also made them prone to crumbling. Pizza Spins failed to gain a steady following and were discontinued within a few years.

7. Aspen Soda

Aspen Soda introduced a crisp, apple-flavored soda to the market. Its unique taste intrigued some, but many found it too niche compared to more versatile cola or citrus options.

The limited flavor appeal and strong competition from established soda brands like Coke and Pepsi sealed its fate. Aspen Soda fizzled out, remembered only by a small group of fans.

8. Qwik-Cook Popcorn

Qwik-Cook Popcorn promised convenience with its all-in-one foil pan that popped kernels on the stovetop. While it worked, the product often burned or produced uneven results, frustrating users.

Microwave popcorn emerged as a simpler alternative in the late 1970s, rendering Qwik-Cook obsolete. Its brief popularity was overshadowed by more reliable popping methods.

9. Goofy String Cheese

Goofy String Cheese aimed to make eating cheese fun by combining bright colors and unusual flavors. While kids enjoyed the playful appearance, the artificial taste turned off many parents and older consumers.

The lack of nutritional value and higher price compared to regular string cheese made it a tough sell. Goofy String Cheese faded into obscurity as a failed attempt to reinvent a classic snack.

10. Tuna Twist

Tuna Twist was a powdered mix meant to enhance tuna salad with flavors like onion or herb. While it sounded convenient, the artificial taste didn’t blend well with tuna’s natural flavor, leaving many disappointed.

Home cooks found it easier to use fresh ingredients to season their tuna. Tuna Twist’s gimmicky approach couldn’t compete with traditional methods and was soon forgotten.