Big brands love to push boundaries, but sometimes they go too far. Their next big idea? It ends up being downright bizarre. From limited-edition oddities to head-scratching flavors, here are 10 of the strangest foods launched by major brands.
10. Crystal Pepsi
Remember the 90s? In a time of neon windbreakers, a “clear” soda stood out. We’re talking about Crystal Pepsi. In 1992, PepsiCo jumped on the “clear craze” with Crystal Pepsi. It’s a caffeine-free version of their flagship soda that was completely transparent. Despite the initial hype, consumers were confused. It looked like water, but it tasted like Pepsi. The novelty wore off quickly.
9. Cheetos Lip Balm
We all love the cheesy, crunchy goodness of Cheetos, but have you ever wished your lips could taste like them? Apparently, someone at Frito-Lay thought so. In 2009, they released Cheetos Lip Balm, a product that promised to deliver the signature Cheetos scent in a moisturizing stick. The gimmick wasn’t new, but the idea of cheesy, savory-scented lips didn’t catch on with the public.
8. Gerber Singles
Gerber has been a trusted name in baby food for decades, but in 1974, they decided to branch out and target single adults. The result was Gerber Singles, small jars of puréed food in flavors like Mediterranean Vegetables, Beef Burgundy, and Blueberry Delight. The idea was to offer a quick meal for one, but the resemblance to baby food was too strong for adults to stomach.
7. McDonald’s McSpaghetti
McDonald’s is known for burgers and fries, but in the late 1980s, they tried to expand their menu to include dinner items like spaghetti, lasagna, and fettuccine Alfredo. The star of this lineup was McSpaghetti, a pasta dish with marinara sauce and an optional meatball. The item was a massive failure in most countries, but surprisingly, McSpaghetti is still popular in the Philippines.
6. Heinz EZ Squirt Ketchup
Ketchup is red, right? Not in 2000, according to Heinz. In an attempt to make ketchup more “fun” for kids, they released EZ Squirt Ketchup in vibrant colors like purple, green, and teal. While kids were initially excited, parents were less enthusiastic about the artificial-looking condiment. The colored ketchup was a short-lived experiment, and Heinz eventually returned to the classic red.
5. McDonald’s McLobster
Here was another bold move from McDonald’s: the launching of McLobster. This was a sandwich filled with lobster meat, special sauce, and lettuce in a hot dog bun. While it sounds appealing, the high price (around $5.99) and the challenge of marketing a “quality” shellfish item at a fast food chain became major hurdles.
4. Pizza Hut’s Cheeseburger-Stuffed Crust Pizza
Pizza Hut is known for its innovative, and sometimes outrageous, crusts. But in 2012, they may have gone too far. The chain introduced Cheeseburger-Stuffed Crust Pizza, featuring a crust studded with mini cheeseburgers, and was topped with beef, lettuce, tomatoes, and a special sauce. Critics called it a “cultural abomination” and others were plainly confused whether it’s a pizza or a burger.
3. Frito-Lay WOW! Chips
Imagine a world where you could eat lots of chips without gaining weight. That was the promise of Frito-Lay’s WOW! Chips. They were made with a fat substitute called olestra to lower fat content and calories. The catch? Olestra had some very unpleasant side effects like abdominal cramping and other digestive issues. The chips failed and were quickly pulled from the market.
2. Jell-O for Salads
Jell-O is a well-loved dessert, often mixed with fruit and whipped cream. But in 1964, the brand took a savory turn with Jell-O for Salads. This line of gelatin came in flavors like Celery and Mixed Vegetable. The idea was to create a gelatin-based salad but the thought of a wobbly, savory Jell-O salad was unappetizing to most consumers.
1. Colgate Kitchen Entrees
That’s right, the company known for keeping your teeth clean decided to venture into the frozen food isle. In 1982, they launched the Colgate Kitchen Entrees. These were frozen meals intended to be eaten before brushing with Colgate toothpaste. And guess what? It was a massive failure. Consumers found it too strange to eat a meal from their toothpaste company, and the product became the poster child for failed brand extensions.