15 Discontinued Canned Foods That Have Vanished Forever

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Have you ever seen a can at the grocery store, and memories suddenly hit you like a Mack truck? For many, discontinued canned foods evoke nostalgic memories of simpler times, childhood meals, and family dinners. These dishes meant more than sustenance—they symbolized our culture and culinary legacy.

98% of Americans have an average of 24 cans in their kitchen. But even when they are very popular with tastes changing and market dynamics shifting, they inevitably go out of style and disappear from shelves. Here are 15 canned foods that have vanished from the shelves forever.

Campbell’s Pepper Pot Soup

Discontinued Canned Foods That Have Vanished Forever — Image Credits: Olegdudko via 123rf

Campbell’s Pepper Pot Soup started as a hearty blend of beef tripe, vegetables, and peppery broth in the early 20th century. This soup was called “Philadelphia Pepper Pot” and served in some old traditional inns, especially in the Northeastern United States.

However, it vanished from shelves as people’s tastes shifted towards lighter, more health-conscious homemade soups.

Franco-American Macaroni and Cheese

Kraft may be king of instant mac and cheese, but Franco-American was a name you could trust long before that. Their canned macaroni and cheese was a hit in the 1950s, especially in busy families. It was so successful that it enjoyed its celebrity spokeswoman, June Lockhart, and made a commercial.

However, It became a flop as the frozen and fresh mac and cheese options became more popular, and people opted for boxed mac and cheese. That led to the collapse of demand for the canned version, and Campbell’s, its parent company, phased out Franco-American, leading to its discontinuation.

Libby’s Canned Corned Beef Hash

During the post-war years, Libby’s Corned Beef Hash was one of America’s favorite breakfasts. Its combo of corned beef and potatoes made it perfect for hearty breakfasts. When money was tight, it was something to reach for in the pantry—an affordable meal that would stick to your ribs.

However, changing trends in breakfast foods, focusing on fresh and healthier options, and concerns about sodium levels contributed to its fall from grace.

Chef Boyardee’s Ravioli

Chef Boyardee introduced ravioli, a time-efficient meal for busy moms in the 1940s. It featured tender pasta pockets with meat and cheese in zesty tomato sauce. Easy to make and delicious, ravioli introduced many Americans to Italian flavors.

But, as demand grew for fresher, healthier pasta alternatives, many of its varieties were discontinued in favor of other dishes like spaghetti and mac-n-cheese. Although in decline, Chef Boyardee’s ravioli helped shape American tastes toward Italian cuisine.

B&M Brick Oven Baked Beans

Since the early 1900s, B&M Brick Oven Baked Beans have been slow-cooked naturally in brick ovens to provide a distinct fire-baked taste. A favorite at barbecues and family dinners, the hearty, comforting taste was a beloved pantry staple.

With a growing number of competitors offering similar functionality (including oatmeal), they were eventually phased out. But they remain a go-to comfort food for those who grew up with them.

Underwood Deviled Ham Spread

In the 1950s and 60s, lunchbox lovers enjoyed a convenient spread sold by Underwood called Deviled Ham Spread that could be slapped onto any bread to add seasoned ham tastiness to sandwiches. It was sold in its classic can with the red devil mascot and stuck on grocery shelves.

Mainly, though, as fresh deli meats grew in popularity and availability, the demand for the canned spread decreased—eventually fading into obscurity. Although it has fallen out of favor, it has its place in United States food history as one of the oldest brands of canned goods, with origins dating back to before the Civil War. The legacy lives on, though perhaps not in the pantry.

Nuteena

Once upon a time, vegetarians had Nuteena, the protein loaf similar in taste and texture to ham but made from nuts. Adventist vegetarians loved it. It was derived from Nuttose, one of the first meat substitute products, which came to life in 1896 and is made with peanut meal, soy, corn, and rice flour.

Versatile and famous for years, Nuteena went by the wayside as newer products were created to replace it. Although it has been discontinued, it remains a nostalgic favorite for its one-of-a-kind taste and early pioneer in vegetarianism.

Dinty Moore Chicken & Dumplings

In the mid-1900s, Dinty Moore introduced its canned Chicken & Dumplings, a comfort food made with chicken and dumplings in a savory gravy. Perfect for busy families who could heat and eat a home-style meal in just minutes, this favorite childhood taste slowly lost appeal as consumers began acquiring a taste for healthier options, and the rise of frozen meals became more prominent.

It was discontinued due to competition and changing tastes but is still alive in the memory of many who loved its ease and simplicity.

Campbell’s Chicken Gumbo Soup

Once, Campbell’s Chicken Gumbo Soup—a more comforting mix of chicken, rice, and okra—brought the Southern taste to kitchen counters everywhere. Despite its hearty appeal, consumer demand eventually waned, leading to its discontinuation.

Though it’s no longer available in stores, it still holds a special place in the hearts of those who cherished its Southern charm and rich flavors.

Libby’s Canned Cheeseburger

Libby’s Canned Cheeseburger—a true testament to the bold and bizarre culinary experiments of the 1970s! The concept was ambitious — a cheeseburger stuffed in a can. Would any of you want a hot cheeseburger to take home with them? I mean, come on, right?

Customers weren’t exactly scrambling to get their hands on this canned creation. Taste, texture, and… let’s face it, how appealing could a can-burger be? Libby’s Canned Cheeseburger never made it to market, but it serves as a reminder that some things, even if more convenient when canned, are best when left not uncanned!

Chef Boyardee Smurf Pasta

In the 1980s, Chef Boyardee’s Smurf Pasta was a hit, riding the wave of the Smurfs’ immense popularity. However, as the Smurfs’ cultural influence waned in the ‘90s, so did the demand for their themed pasta.

Despite its discontinuation, it remains nostalgic for many who fondly remember eating Smurf-shaped pasta as kids.

Campbell’s Scotch Broth Soup

The 1930s saw Campbell’s Scotch Broth Soup, made with lamb, barley, and vegetables that, quickly became a popular all-in-one meal on American tables. However, as the taste of many consumers turned to classic favorites such as chicken and noodles or tomato, the sales dwindled, and a century later, it was discontinued by the late 20th century.

And while it probably hasn’t aged very well, its flavors are a bit of comfort food for anyone who fell in love with it when it was first released. Today, the global canned soup market is valued at over $6 billion, but Scotch Broth is a fond relic of the past.

Bumble Bee’s Canned Oyster Stew

One of the more popular delicacies in the mid-1900s was Bumble Bee’s Canned Oyster Stew, featuring a thick, creamy taste of the sea. However, with changing consumer tastes and as processing became more modern, the product fell out of favor and was ultimately discontinued.

With the canned seafood market forecasted to hit $11.3 billion by 2027, this stew is a nostalgic morsel of mid-century Americana.

Swanson Canned Fried Chicken

Swanson Canned Fried Chicken—yep, fried chicken in a can! This quirky creation was a lunchtime favorite in the 1950s. It was a big deal back then and kept many of us super busy families going for a quick, portable meal.

However, with the subsequent rise of frozen and fresh chicken products, canned fried chicken disappeared. Today, it’s a fun reminder of a simpler time when canned chicken seemed like the future of convenience.

Progresso’s Canned Artichoke Hearts

Progresso Canned Artichoke Hearts was the go-to ingredient for turning an ordinary meal into a gourmet dish. Perfect for tossing into pasta or casseroles, they made Mediterranean flavors accessible with a can opener. But as fresh and marinated artichokes gained popularity, these canned delicacies slipped away from shelves.

While fresh artichokes now reign supreme, Progresso’s version still holds a nostalgic spot in the hearts of home cooks who loved its convenience. It’s fascinating to see how much the food landscape has changed over the years. While these canned foods may have disappeared from store shelves, they remain vivid in our memories.

Disclaimer– This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.