Discontinued Food From the 1990s We Really Miss

Grocery stores of the 90s were a time for exploration. A time when fruit snacks, sodas and candies were multicolored, and when food was expected to be loud. Despite the many failed attempts — yes, I’m referring to the EZ-Squirt ketchup — there were some gems we wish we could just pick up at the food store one more time, but, alas, all we have are memories. Sure they were junk foods, and we are clearly better off without them, but for some reason we can’t help but miss these discontinued foods. No snack foods seem to have woven their way into the collective nostalgic subconscious like the dearly departed junk food of the 1990s.

So let’s pour out a Squeezit for these favorites that are gone, but never forgotten. Maybe one day these will make a comeback — a girl can dream, right?

French Toast Crunch

Nothing says childhood like a bowl of tiny little French toasts. Launched in 1995 by General Mills, this product was beloved by kids nationwide. I mean, who doesn’t love cute tiny little toasts that are maple syrup flavored? In 2006, it was discontinued in the United States, but not before being altered to look identical to Cinnamon Toast Crunch, with a different flavor. Rumor has it you can still track down boxes in Canada, and the newer, flatter version is available in grocery stores — it will never be the same.

Hi-C Ector Cooler Juice Boxes

Because who didn’t want a green, slime-flavored juice box for lunch? Loyal fans have been heard — the juice drink returned after a 15-year hiatus, just in time for the newest Ghostbusters movie. Ecto Cooler comes in a thermal ink can with cold-activated slime and is sold in 10 packs of six-ounce juice boxes, and six- and 12-packs of 11.5-ounce aluminum cans. The cans, available in select locations including major online retailers, appear to be sold out.

Hostess Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pies

Though its green sugar crusts looked nasty, turtle pies were filled with vanilla-flavored lumps of deliciousness loved by every TMNT fan. Perhaps the greatest lesson of the pies? There’s no way any kid would have ever touched one of the pies if it didn’t have the TMNT seal of approval, and each package came with a TMNT trading card. If you want to attempt to recreate the pie, try out this recipe.
Squeezit

It’s impossible to overstate how popular Squeezits were. The design was heroically simple: You tore off the top and squeezed. There was no opportunity to stick a straw through the back of the juice pouch or any unnecessary fumbling to pop can tabs. The flavors were awful and totally watered down, but the packaging was perfect. You could add pellets to change the color of your drink, and there was even a black drink that made you guess the flavor.

Planters Cheez Balls

Doodles, puffs and Doritos can’t compare to the neon orange balls. These were easily tossed back, because who doesn’t love delicious artificial cheese? These left a permanent stain on our fingers and our hearts.

Wonder Ball

What’s inside a wonder ball? Magic. Well, Nestle removed the magic in 2004 when it stopped manufacturing the little ball of wonder after children choked on the toys.

Heinz EZ Squirt

Even though EZ Squirt was introduced in 2000, it had a 1990s feel to it. EZ Squirt threw out the idea ketchup should be red, but introduced colors including Blastin’ Green, Funky Purple, Stellar Blue and whatever Mystery Color was. The funky condiment was discontinued in 2006 — maybe for the better.

Dunkaroos

Each packet of Dunakroos contained vanilla-flavored cookies to dip and dunk in frosting. The perfect lunch box snack was filled with frostable fun for everyone, and was truly one of the most beloved snacks of the 90s. While you can find them on Amazon, it’ll never be the same. Rip to the og.