7 Nostalgic Grocery Staples Gone Too Bad

Customers report that 7 popular groceries are quietly going bad.

We all have our favorite grocery items. You know, those foods and drinks that we used to eat in such a way that evokes happiness, that thinking about them gives us all the feels. When someone mentions Grapeade Snapple, I am literally transported back to the hallways of my middle school. However, some things do not stand the test of time. There’s an entire Reddit feed dedicated to grocery items that don’t taste the way people remember them. Here are 7 grocery startups that have quietly gone bad, according to consumers.

Twinkies

One of the most upvoted comments on Reddit in a multi-feed focused on junk food as it used to be? Twinkies. “I came here specifically to say that Twinkies taste like chemical sludge. I was never big on them growing up but they were good. (I’m GenX … so I’ve had a lot of Twinkies in my life.) I didn’t care when they were discontinued, but when they came back I was like, eh, what the hell? I might as well take a little memory and wipe it down. In the trash as a point of disclaimer: I’m fat, and I’ve never turned down a good meal…

Debbie Snack Mini Cakes

Little Debbie Snack Cakes were another item that was mentioned frequently. “Except I don’t like sweets anymore, Little Debbie Snack Cakes. I last ate them years ago. I thought they were gross! I loved them when I was a kid,” said the Redditor. “I’d say a lot of the Little Debbie/Hostess stuff has really fallen flat. They’ve all become dog breeds in recent years,” said another.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

Kraft Original Mac & Cheese

It’s still one of the most popular items at the grocery store, but Kraft Original Mac & Cheese doesn’t taste the same as consumers remember it. “OMG, he absolutely loved Kraft Mac-n-cheese. It just happened to him. I remember when it was on sale for like $.25/box. We had a dozen boxes in the pantry at any given time. Easy quick snack/lunch. Something happened. It’s been a few months. Cardboard tastes better. And WTH, $1.25/one box,” said one person. “I remember a few years ago when Kraft changed their Mac n Cheese recipe, but I’m sure they did it again. I switched to Three Cheese after the first one and it started tasting different two years ago,” said one Redditor. “They’re changing the noodles too. At least in Canada. They’re soft and mushy very quickly. I’ve been making that stuff for years. Time was short. Now it’s a long way,” added a third.

Candy, Including Butterfinger and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

There were a lot of candy items that were said to not taste the same. “Butterfinger has changed its recipe and is absorbing it now,” said another. Several have mentioned that Reese’s Peanut Butter Lips are very different. “They taste so cheap now,” wrote another. “Okay thanks! I was dreaming they taste weird and bad now. The chocolate is super waxy too,” added another. “Yeah, pb is also freaking sweet and grinding like sand now too. Not like filling our youth,” chimed in a third.

Pop-Tarts

Pop-Tarts are not the same, according to many people. “What in the world happened there? ‘Real’ is as little as a playing card now. A generic store from almost anywhere looks solid and tastes good,” said another. “Great Value brand is the best. More filling, firmer, crispier crust, better buttery cake taste,” added another.

Fruit Roll-Ups

Many consumers say that Fruit Roll-Ups are not the same as they used to be. “If you grew up in the ’80s, you remember what Fruit Roll-Ups were. They were glorious. Those had real strawberry seeds in them because they were made from real fruit!!! They were weirdly delicious and unique and far superior to the gooey sugar rolls that carry the name now,” the Redditor recalls. “Remember apricots? These were my favorite spears. The rolled fruit tastes like sugary glue,” said another.

Spaghetti-Os

And, finally, Spaghetti-Os “100% taste different than they did when they were kids,” says one. “They’re fun now, aren’t they?! Rebellion,” commented another. “Having eaten a few “O’s” since the sixties I can vouch for their deliciousness- I’ll slather you in corn syrup,” chimed in a third.

Leah Groth