The 1970s was a decade marked by a fascinating blend of cultural shifts, which was mirrored in the era’s distinctive food trends. As we look back, it’s clear that many products that were once pantry staples have now faded away, much like the disco balls and bell bottoms of the time.
Here, we will delve into some of those forgotten grocery gems of the ’70s, exploring their history and what made them so special during their heyday.
Space Food Sticks
A product born out of the space race era, Space Food Sticks were introduced by Pillsbury in the early ’70s. Marketed as a portable, nutritious snack developed for astronauts, these chewy bars captured the imagination of the public.
Available in flavors like peanut butter, chocolate, and caramel, they embodied the fascination with space travel and futuristic technologies. However, as the excitement of space exploration waned, so did the popularity of Space Food Sticks, and they eventually disappeared from grocery shelves.
Hamburger Helper
Introduced in 1971, Hamburger Helper was a revolutionary idea designed to answer the economic pressures of the time by extending a pound of ground beef into a meal for five. Its catchy jingle and glove mascot quickly made it a household name.
Although Hamburger Helper is still available today, many of the original flavors, like Potato Stroganoff and Rice Oriental, have vanished, replaced by more modern tastes that reflect current culinary trends.
Quisp Cereal
Quisp, made by Quaker Oats, first appeared in the late ’60s but truly shone in the 1970s. With its quirky alien mascot and saucer-shaped, sugary corn cereal, it was a hit among children. Despite its popularity, Quisp faced stiff competition from other cereals and was eventually pulled from the national market in the late ’70s, only to reappear occasionally as a nostalgia item sold in limited markets or online.
Jell-O 1-2-3
Jell-O is a brand that has stood the test of time, but one of its products, Jell-O 1-2-3, has not. Introduced in the late ’60s and popular throughout the ’70s, this unique dessert separated into three distinct layers as it settled: a creamy top, a mousse-like middle, and plain Jell-O at the bottom.
The novelty of Jell-O 1-2-3 was a delightful treat, yet it required precise preparation and eventually faded from public favor, becoming a nostalgic memory rather than a pantry staple.
Shake-a-Pudd’n
Another innovative product from Jell-O was Shake-a-Pudd’n, which allowed kids to make their pudding by just adding milk to the package contents and shaking it for a few minutes.
Launched in the late ’60s and lasting into the ’70s, this do-it-yourself dessert was a fun, interactive treat. However, due to changing consumer preferences towards more natural and less processed foods, Shake-a-Pudd’n slowly disappeared from shelves.
Funny Face Drink Mix
Before there was Kool-Aid, there was Funny Face Drink Mix. This product featured comically named characters like Goofy Grape, Freckle Face Strawberry, and Rootin’ Tootin’ Raspberry. Initially released with cyclamates, which were later banned,
Funny Face had to reformulate its sweetener, which impacted its taste and consumer acceptance. Although it was popular for its fun branding and variety of flavors, Funny Face was eventually overshadowed by other drink mixes that retained a more consistent quality and taste.
Libby’s Fruit Float
A dessert that promised convenience along with novelty, Libby’s Fruit Float was a canned product that combined fruit and flavored cream that would magically separate upon being chilled in the fridge.
Launched in the early ’70s, it was short-lived on the market. Despite its initial appeal, the texture and concept didn’t quite win over enough consumers, leading to its discontinuation.
The Fiesta Menu
The 1970s also saw a fascination with international cuisines, leading to the introduction of products like The Fiesta Menu by Buitoni. These frozen Mexican dinners offered exotic flavors at a time when Mexican cuisine was not as ubiquitous in the US as it is today. Despite their initial popularity, these ready-made meals didn’t last beyond the ’70s, as fresher and more authentic options became available.
Morton Frozen Dinners
While not entirely vanished, the variety of frozen dinners from Morton in the ’70s included some unique offerings like Salisbury steak and turkey with stuffing that are no longer seen today. Morton was known for its economical and hearty meals, which were staples for families during a time when both parents were increasingly entering the workforce. As dietary habits shifted towards fresher, less processed foods, many of Morton’s original offerings were phased out.
Danone Yogurt
In the 1970s, Danone introduced its yogurt to the American market, which at the time was not as familiar with yogurt as a daily food item as it is today. Danone’s early yogurts often included a layer of fruit at the bottom, offering a new type of snack that was both healthy and flavorful.
Despite the brand’s success today, many of the original flavors and formulations from the 1970s have been discontinued or transformed to suit modern tastes and health standards.
Hubba Bubba Soda
Hubba Bubba, best known for its bubble gum, ventured into the soft drink market during the late ’70s with Hubba Bubba Soda. The drink aimed to capture the distinctive bubble gum flavor in a liquid form, which was a novel idea at the time.
Despite the initial buzz, the concept of drinking something that tasted like bubble gum was short-lived, and Hubba Bubba Soda quickly disappeared from the market.
Body on Tap Shampoo
While not a food item, Body on Tap shampoo is a product that encapsulates the experimental nature of the ’70s consumer market. Made with beer (albeit a small percentage), it promised to harness the purported natural benefits of brewer’s yeast for stronger, shinier hair.
Launched by Bristol-Myers in 1978, it garnered attention for its unique ingredient but was eventually phased out as consumer preferences shifted towards more sophisticated hair care solutions.
Birds Eye Frozen Breakfasts
Birds Eye tried to change the breakfast game by introducing their line of frozen breakfast items in the ’70s. These meals were designed to provide a quick, easy, and satisfying breakfast, with options ranging from traditional eggs and bacon to pancakes and sausages.
Despite their convenience, these products did not last into the next decade, likely due to changing breakfast habits and the rise of fresher, faster alternatives like breakfast bars and cereals.
