A Delicious Trip Back to the 1970s: 12 Snacks We All Miss

The 1970s were a unique time for fashion, music, and especially for snacks. If you grew up in that decade, you remember a world of bold flavors and wild creations that filled vending machines and pantry shelves. Many of these treats are now just a sweet memory, leaving us wondering why they ever disappeared.

1. Marathon Bar

The Marathon Bar was not just a candy bar; it was an event. Introduced by Mars in 1973, this treat was a full eight inches of braided caramel covered in milk chocolate. Its bright red wrapper even featured a ruler on the back to prove its impressive length. The commercials featured the hero “Marathon John” and the slogan, “It lasts a good long time!” Sadly, its run ended in 1981 when Mars discontinued it, claiming it was not a fast enough seller.

2. Koogle

Before Nutella was in every pantry, there was Koogle. Kraft Foods launched this novelty peanut butter spread in the 1970s, and it was an instant hit with kids. It came in several sweet, artificial flavors, including chocolate, banana, cinnamon, and vanilla. The mascot, a googly-eyed jar with a propeller on its lid, made it irresistible. Despite its popularity, Koogle was quietly discontinued by the end of the decade.

3. Space Dust

This candy was pure magic in a pouch. Made by General Foods and released in 1976, Space Dust was a ground-up carbonated candy that fizzed and popped in your mouth. It was the direct competitor to Pop Rocks. Unfortunately, its exciting sensation led to urban legends and unfounded fears that the candy was dangerous. These rumors, combined with low sales, caused General Foods to pull the plug on this cosmic treat.

4. Screaming Yellow Zonkers

This was not your average popcorn. Screaming Yellow Zonkers was a sweet, buttery, glazed popcorn snack that came in a distinct black box. What made it a 70s icon was its bizarre and hilarious packaging copy. Instead of boring nutritional facts, the box was filled with surreal jokes and non-sequiturs. Though it survived for decades, it was eventually discontinued in 2007 after changing hands several times.

5. Danish Go-Rounds

Long before Toaster Strudels, Kellogg’s gave us Danish Go-Rounds. These were a more delicate toaster pastry, shaped in a unique spiral that was meant to be broken apart. Unlike the rectangular Pop-Tarts, they had a lighter, flakier texture and fruit filling swirled throughout. They were a breakfast favorite but were ultimately overshadowed by their more popular Pop-Tart cousins and faded away.

6. Sir Grapefellow & Baron von Redberry

In the golden age of sugary cereals, General Mills introduced two flying aces to battle for breakfast supremacy. Sir Grapefellow was an English pilot with a grape-flavored oat cereal and sweet grape marshmallows. His rival, Baron von Redberry, was a German pilot with a berry-flavored version. They were known for their cartoonish rivalry in commercials but had a very short flight, disappearing from shelves after only a few years.

7. Pizza Spins

Imagine the flavor of pizza packed into a crunchy, wheel-shaped snack. That was the genius of Pizza Spins, a creation from General Mills. They had a zesty taste of tomato, cheese, and spices that was incredibly addictive. They were a perfect party snack or after-school treat but vanished from the market, leaving a void that other pizza-flavored snacks have tried, but failed, to fill completely.

8. Jell-O 1-2-3

This dessert was a minor miracle of food science and a staple at 70s dinner parties. A single packet of Jell-O 1-2-3 powder, when prepared correctly, would magically separate into three distinct layers as it set in the fridge. The bottom was a classic Jell-O layer, the middle was a light and fluffy mousse, and the top was a creamy, smooth finish. It was discontinued in 1996 due to declining sales.

9. Wacky Wafers

From the Willy Wonka Candy Company came these unforgettable fruit-flavored disks. Wacky Wafers were about the size of a silver dollar and came in a clear cellophane wrapper. The pack included bold flavors like watermelon, green apple, banana, and orange. They were thin and crunchy, delivering a powerful burst of flavor. The original recipe was eventually changed and later discontinued, much to the dismay of its fans.

10. The Reggie! Bar

Capitalizing on the fame of baseball slugger Reggie Jackson, Standard Brands Inc. released the Reggie! Bar in 1978. It was a circular patty of milk chocolate filled with peanuts and a caramel center. Legend has it that during a Yankees home opener, the bars were given away to fans, who threw them onto the field after Jackson hit a home run. The bar was popular but was discontinued shortly after the baseball star’s retirement.

11. Fizzies Drink Tablets

While invented in the 1950s, Fizzies had a massive resurgence in the 1970s and became a symbol of the decade’s fun-loving spirit. These tablets would fizz and bubble when dropped into a glass of water, creating an instant, colorful, and sweet soft drink. They came in various fruit flavors like grape, orange, and cherry. Concerns over artificial sweeteners led to their disappearance for many years.

12. Nabisco Tid-Bits

Sometimes the simplest snacks are the most memorable. Nabisco Tid-Bits were incredibly small, stick-shaped crackers packed with a powerful cheddar cheese flavor. They were so small you could eat them by the handful. Their intense, salty taste made them a favorite for both kids and adults. Over the years, Nabisco phased them out in favor of other cheese crackers like Cheese Nips and Cheez-Its.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are so many popular snacks from the 70s discontinued? There are several common reasons. Often, a product is discontinued due to declining sales as consumer tastes change. Other times, the cost of ingredients rises, making the product less profitable. In some cases, a company is bought out, and the new owner streamlines the product line, cutting less popular items.

Are there any petitions to bring these snacks back? Yes, for almost every snack on this list, there are passionate fan communities online. Many have started online petitions on sites like Change.org to convince companies to bring back their favorite treats. While these campaigns rarely succeed, they show the lasting impact these snacks had on people’s lives.