The 1970s brought some truly unique and sometimes surprising foods to grocery store shelves. Many of these items were bold in flavor, quirky in presentation, or just plain different from what you see today. Over time, changes in taste, health standards, and food regulations pushed a lot of these once-popular products out of stores.
You won’t find these foods around anymore because they didn’t fit with today’s rules or modern preferences. Exploring these retro favorites gives you a glimpse into how much food culture has changed and what kinds of tastes and trends captured people’s attention back then.
Gelatin Salad Molds
If you grew up in or around the ’70s, you probably remember gelatin salad molds taking center stage at dinner parties. These wobbly, often colorful creations mixed sweet and savory ingredients in a way that might seem odd today.
You’d find fruits, vegetables, even seafood suspended in a jiggly layer of gelatin. They were meant to look fancy and futuristic, but for many, the texture could be a bit off-putting.
Nowadays, gelatin molds have mostly disappeared from store shelves and family tables. Still, they pop up occasionally in retro-themed events or as a quirky nod to food history.
Cheese Balls
Cheese balls were a staple at parties back in the ’70s. You’d find them made from processed cheese mixed with spices, then rolled into a ball shape.
Many were coated in crunchy nuts or sometimes dried fruits for extra texture. They brought creamy, savory flavor with a bit of bite to the table.
If you’ve ever been to a retro party or holiday buffet, chances are a cheese ball was there. They were simple, tasty, and perfect for sharing with friends.
Frozen TV Dinners
If you grew up in the ’70s, you probably remember frozen TV dinners as a quick, easy way to get dinner on the table. They came in compartmentalized trays, usually with an entrée, sides, and even a tiny dessert. You’d pop the whole thing in the oven and eat it right in front of the TV.
Some of those meals were surprisingly tasty, like Salisbury steak or macaroni and cheese. But others, especially the kid-friendly ones, often had mystery meat and artificial flavors you wouldn’t want to eat now. Still, they were part of family life and convenience back then.
Swanson’s Hungry-Man Meals
You might remember Swanson’s Hungry-Man meals as those giant TV dinners meant to satisfy a big appetite. Launched in 1973, they promised hearty portions with two entrees and three sides.
If you wanted a quick, filling meal after a long day, these dinners were a go-to. They took a bit longer to cook but came out piping hot and ready to eat.
Hungry-Man meals aimed to appeal mostly to men, offering comfort food like Salisbury steak or turkey pot pie in oversized trays. You don’t see these exact meals on shelves now, but they were a staple in many homes back then.
Tang Orange Drink
You probably remember Tang as that bright orange powder you mixed with water for a quick burst of citrus flavor. It wasn’t real orange juice but had a catchy space-age vibe since NASA used it during the Apollo missions.
In the ’70s, Tang was everywhere—lunchboxes, kitchen counters, even in recipes like cakes and frostings. Today, you can still find the classic orange flavor, but its grape and grapefruit versions disappeared long ago. It was convenient, fun, and totally ’70s, even if it wasn’t exactly a health food.
