Emily Flores
Supermarket shelves used to carry more than just the basics—some cans held foods you’d never expect today. They gained small followings, stirred plenty of conversation, and then quietly disappeared. Each left behind its own little story, remembered in different ways. So, which ones didn’t stand the test of time? Here are 10 canned foods that vanished from grocery shelves.
Campbell’s Pepper Pot Soup
Campbell’s Pepper Pot Soup had serious history. It was a Philadelphia favorite going back to the 1800s, with a recipe inspired by Caribbean flavors. The real surprise ingredient? Beef tripe, something you almost never see in canned soups now. However, over time, tastes shifted, sales dropped, and the can disappeared.
Pac-Man Pasta
In the 1980s, Pac-Man was everywhere, even at the dinner table. Pac-Man Pasta came in two flavors: tomato sauce and golden chicken. Each can include pasta shaped like the game’s ghost characters. TV ads made it fun by featuring animated Pac-Man with the ghosts. As the craze faded, the pasta disappeared.
Libby’s Canned Veal Loaf
Imagine opening a can to find veal, pork, and beef moulded into one shiny loaf. That was Libby’s Canned Veal Loaf. It could be chilled and served straight or tossed into a frying pan for extra flavor. Marketed as a quick protein fix, it later fell victim to changing meat preferences and low demand.
Franco-American Macaroni & Cheese
For some, Franco-American Macaroni & Cheese was more than just food—it was a memory in a can. Its mushy texture brought a certain nostalgic comfort. But by 2004, declining sales forced it off the shelves. And loyal fans didn’t give up easily, even starting petitions online to try to bring it back.
Chef Boyardee Roller Coaster Pasta
Roller Coaster Pasta offered exactly what kids in the 1980s loved: wavy noodles, bite-sized meatballs, and tomato sauce that made for quick, easy meals. Despite its popularity, sales never held strong. With low demand and brand streamlining underway, Chef Boyardee discontinued it.
Canned Whole Chicken By Sweet Sue
There really was a time you could buy an entire chicken in a can, thanks to Sweet Sue. The bird came fully cooked, sitting in a jelly-like broth that startled many first-time buyers. Its strange appearance made it a viral oddity years later, but low demand and bad presentation ended its run.
Progresso Chicken Corn Chowder
Chicken Corn Chowder had a rich, creamy base and a sweet corn flavor that many shoppers swore by. Still, it didn’t survive Progresso’s big 2020 downsizing. The brand dropped 40 soups in one swoop by saying it was to cut costs and streamline the line. Fans quickly turned to food forums to vent.
Hormel Pork Brains In Milk Gravy
Some Southerners grew up eating Pork Brains in Milk Gravy, mixing it with eggs for a hearty breakfast. To others, though, the look of the dish was a little unsettling. What really stood out was the nutrition label—one can carry more than 1,000% of the daily cholesterol value. Between weak sales and safety issues, Hormel pulled it from stores.
Campbell’s Scotch Broth Soup
Back in the mid-1900s, many households kept Campbell’s Scotch Broth Soup in the pantry. It was filled with barley, root vegetables, and lamb—a protein you rarely saw in canned soup. Over time, though, demand dropped. Without much fanfare, Campbell’s removed it from shelves and moved on to other varieties.
Del Monte Canned Prune Whip
Prune Whip sounded like a bold idea from Del Monte, a whipped dessert made with prunes and gelatin. It was advertised as light and healthy, perfect for health-conscious shoppers. The problem? Consumers couldn’t agree on the flavor, and the texture didn’t win many fans either. By the 1980s, poor sales ended its run.