8 Disastrous Retro Food Products from the 70s

The 1970s were full of bold ideas, including some truly questionable food products. Companies experimented with unusual flavors, odd textures, and gimmicky marketing, but not everything was a hit. These eight food products from the era are remembered more for their failure than their success.

1. Colgate Kitchen Entrees

Colgate’s attempt to break into the frozen dinner market baffled consumers. Known for toothpaste, the company faced an uphill battle convincing people to trust them with food. The packaging didn’t help, as it resembled their dental care products.

Despite offering various options, the dinners failed to find a loyal audience. The association with toothpaste made the idea unappealing, leading to its quick disappearance from store shelves.

2. Gerber Singles

Gerber tried to market baby food-style meals for adults with Gerber Singles. These prepackaged purees were designed for young professionals needing convenient meals, but the concept fell flat.

Consumers couldn’t get past the baby food association. Combined with unappealing packaging, the idea felt infantilizing rather than innovative, leading to its short-lived existence.

3. Koogle Flavored Peanut Butter

Koogle was an attempt to jazz up peanut butter with flavors like banana, chocolate, and vanilla. While intriguing, the combinations didn’t win over enough fans. Many found the artificial taste off-putting.

Though marketed heavily to kids, it couldn’t compete with classic peanut butter brands. It faded into obscurity, remembered only as a quirky idea.

4. Aspen Soda

Aspen Soda, a fizzy apple-flavored drink, aimed to carve a niche in the soda market. While unique, the flavor failed to appeal to a broad audience. Its taste didn’t fit the sweet or cola categories most consumers preferred.

Despite heavy advertising, the drink disappeared quickly. Its failure highlighted the risks of deviating too far from established favorites.

5. Libby’s ‘Fruiti Juici’ Drinks

Libby’s created Fruiti Juici, a line of canned fruit-flavored drinks, hoping to compete with sodas. The drinks lacked carbonation and tasted overly artificial, disappointing both kids and adults.

The cans were colorful, but the taste failed to deliver. Eventually, the drinks disappeared, unable to make a lasting impact in the competitive beverage market.

6. Space Food Sticks

Inspired by NASA, Space Food Sticks were marketed as futuristic snacks. Despite the novelty, their texture and flavor didn’t resonate with consumers. The dense, chewy bars felt more like survival food than a treat.

Though they had a loyal niche audience, they couldn’t maintain mainstream popularity. Eventually, they were retired from production.

7. Campbell’s Pepper Pot Soup

Campbell’s Pepper Pot Soup was marketed as a hearty, flavorful option in the 70s. Despite the bold idea, its unusual blend of tripe and pepper didn’t resonate with most consumers.

The soup’s distinctive ingredients turned off many buyers, leaving it as one of Campbell’s less successful products of the decade.

8. Carnation Breakfast Bars

Carnation’s early attempt at meal replacement bars failed due to poor taste and an unappealing texture. Though convenient, they lacked the flavor to win over consumers.

The bars were marketed as healthy, but many found them bland and unappetizing. Over time, better-tasting options replaced them, sealing their fate as a 70s flop.