23 Food Trends From the 90s That Have Vanished from the Scene

The 1990s introduced a colorful variety of snacks, drinks, and innovative meals that became iconic to millennials.

Yet, as quickly as they captured the hearts of consumers, many of these beloved products vanished from shelves, leaving fans nostalgic and longing for a taste of the past. Their disappearance has only fueled their legendary status, with some items making occasional comebacks.

Here, we explore the popular ’90s foods that are no longer available anywhere.

Fruitopia

Fruitopia, a fruit-flavored beverage introduced by Coca-Cola, captured the essence of the ’90s. Although it was popular among teens, sales declined, and it was phased out in the U.S. by the early 2000s. Some flavors still exist internationally, keeping a hint of its fruity legacy alive.

Butterfinger B.B.’s

Butterfinger B.B.s were essentially mini, ball-shaped versions of the traditional Butterfinger bar, ideal for popping in your mouth. Their production ceased in 2006, much to the dismay of fans who cherished the crunchy, peanut-buttery bites. This beloved treat still sparks calls for its return on social media platforms.

Altoids Sours

Altoids Sours, introduced as a tangy, sour twist on the classic mint, quickly gained popularity due to their intense flavor. However, they were discontinued in 2010, leaving fans of the puckering taste disappointed. The demand for these candies remains high.

Surge

Surge, a citrus-flavored soda launched by Coca-Cola to compete with Pepsi’s Mountain Dew, was all the rage in the ’90s. Its bold, edgy marketing appealed to young soda drinkers, but it was eventually discontinued due to declining sales. Surge made a nostalgic comeback in 2014 fueled by a loyal fan base.

Planters Cheez Balls

Planters Cheez Balls were highly popular for their melt-in-your-mouth texture and strong, cheesy flavor. Discontinued in 2006, they left many snackers yearning for just one more tin. Their return in 2018 was met with excitement and relief from fans.

Josta Soda

Josta Soda, with its unique blend of guarana and berries, was the first energy drink introduced by a major U.S. beverage company (PepsiCo). Despite developing a cult following, it failed to achieve mainstream success and was discontinued. Its disappearance left a gap in the market for energy drinks that other brands quickly filled.

P.B. Crisps

P.B. Crisps featured a crispy, cookie-like shell filled with peanut butter cream. These snacks disappeared from shelves in the late ’90s, much to the disappointment of peanut butter lovers everywhere.

McDonald’s Arch Deluxe

The Arch Deluxe was part of a McDonald’s marketing strategy to appeal to adult tastes with a more sophisticated burger option. Despite a massive marketing campaign, it failed to meet sales expectations and was pulled from the menu.

Cinnamon Mini Buns Cereal

Cinnamon Mini Buns Cereal by Kellogg’s recreated the taste of cinnamon rolls in a convenient, crunchy cereal form. Though it was discontinued, the unique flavor and concept of having “mini cinnamon buns” for breakfast left a lasting impression.

Shark Bites

Shark Bites, a fruit snack beloved for its chewy texture and shark-themed shapes, was a lunchbox staple. Over the years, they have become harder to find, with changes in the fruit snack market and consumer preferences. They are fondly remembered.

Keebler Magic Middles

Keebler Magic Middles were shortbread cookies filled with a rich chocolate fudge center. Despite their popularity, they were discontinued in the early 2000s, leaving many cookie lovers longing for their return. The unique combination of crunchy exterior and gooey interior made these cookies a beloved treat.

Bubble Jug

Bubble Jug contained powdered bubble gum that transformed into chewable gum as you chewed, an innovation in the gum industry. Its novel packaging and fun transformation process made it popular among kids. However, it vanished from the market.

McDonald’s Pizza

McDonald’s once experimented with serving pizza, briefly offering it in select locations during the ’90s. Due to long cooking times and operational challenges, it was removed, becoming more of a trivia question than a menu staple.

Heinz EZ Squirt Colored Ketchup

Heinz once revolutionized ketchup with E.Z. Squirt, which came in bold colors like green and purple. While initially a hit with children, adults were less enthusiastic, leading to its discontinuation.

Squeezits

Squeezits were brightly colored plastic bottles filled with flavored drinks, requiring a squeeze to enjoy—hence the name. Each bottle featured a face, adding personality and a fun twist to children’s juice options. Sadly, these were discontinued in the early 2000s.

Orbitz Drink

Orbitz, with its floating gelatinous balls, looked more like a lava lamp than a beverage. This non-carbonated fruit-flavored drink was short-lived, likely due to its odd texture that consumers found off-putting. While it was not a hit, it remains a symbol of ’90s beverage experimentation.

Nestle Wonder Ball

The Wonder Ball was a hollow chocolate sphere filled with candy, appealing to kids with a surprise inside each one. Legal issues and choking hazards led to its discontinuation, although it was briefly revived with less risky fillings.

Dunkaroos

Dunkaroos, the snack that defined many a ’90s childhood, featured cookies meant to be dunked in a small compartment of frosting. They vanished from U.S. shelves in 2012, though their nostalgic appeal led to a brief comeback in 2020. This snack’s sugary sweet dip and fun packaging often bring back fond memories of school lunches and after-school snacks.

Crystal Pepsi

Crystal Pepsi, a clear version of its traditionally dark-colored counterpart, was launched with much fanfare in 1992. Despite initial curiosity and excitement, consumers found the flavor disconcerting, leading to its discontinuation by 1994. Its occasional limited re-releases serve as a flashback to the clear-soda trend of the ’90s.

3D Doritos

3D Doritos offered a new take on the classic chip by puffing it up into a unique, airy shape. Launched in the late ’90s, they gained a cult following due to their novel texture and fun eating experience. However, they were discontinued in the early 2000s, though they’ve made sporadic comebacks, much to the delight of their fans.

Pepsi Blue

Pepsi Blue was introduced in the early 2000s as a berry-flavored alternative to traditional cola. Its bright blue color and unique taste profile did not resonate with all consumers, leading to its eventual discontinuation. This soda is often remembered for its bold attempt to stand out in the cola wars.

Hi-C Ecto Cooler

Hi-C Ecto Cooler, tied to the Ghostbusters franchise, was a hit for its bright color and sweet citrus flavor. It remained on the market well beyond the series’ end but was eventually discontinued.

Oreo O’s Cereal

Oreo O’s, a cereal offering the flavor of America’s favorite cookie in every bite, was extremely popular following its release. Discontinued in the U.S. in 2007 (though still available in South Korea), it left many Oreo lovers wishing for its return. The cereal’s recent re-release in 2017 was met with jubilation by fans who had missed its unique taste.