20 ’70s Childhood Snacks That Would Have Parents Calling The FDA Today

The 1970s were a time of groovy tunes, bell-bottoms, and some truly unforgettable childhood snacks. These iconic treats were beloved by kids, but today, they might raise some serious eyebrows among food safety officials. From vibrant artificial colors to sugar overloads, these snacks were a far cry from today’s health-conscious standards. Let’s take a look at 20 snacks from the ’70s that would likely have parents calling the FDA today.

1. Pop Rocks

Imagine popping candy that fizzes and crackles in your mouth, creating a sound like tiny fireworks. Pop Rocks were all the rage in the ’70s, offering a unique candy experience that was both fun and a bit mysterious. However, rumors of children’s stomachs exploding after ingesting Pop Rocks mixed with soda added a layer of urban legend intrigue. Despite the lack of truth to these stories, the candy’s intense artificial flavors and sugar content would certainly be scrutinized by today’s standards. A nostalgic treat, Pop Rocks remains a symbol of daring confectionery.

2. Space Food Sticks

Styled as astronaut snacks, Space Food Sticks were chewy, soft bars that promised nutrition fit for space travelers. These bars had a plastic-like texture and often came in flavors that ranged from chocolate to peanut butter, though the taste was more alien than appetizing. Marketed with a futuristic flair, they embodied the era’s fascination with space exploration. Loaded with vitamins and preservatives, these snacks would likely face modern scrutiny for their artificial and synthetic ingredients. Space Food Sticks were a testament to the ’70s love for novelty and innovation, albeit with a questionable taste profile.

3. Jell-O 1-2-3

Jell-O 1-2-3 was a magical dessert that separated into three distinct layers during chilling. It was a colorful wonder for kids, with its bright hues and fun textures. However, the heavy reliance on artificial flavors and gelatin, along with stabilizers to achieve its trademark layers, would make it a target for health advocates today. This treat captured the whimsical spirit of the era but also highlighted a less health-conscious approach to ingredients. Enjoyed as a dessert or a mid-day snack, Jell-O 1-2-3 was both a visual and gustatory delight of the ’70s.

4. Hubba Bubba Bubble Gum Tape

Hubba Bubba Bubble Gum Tape offered six feet of gum in a portable roll, perfect for sharing—or hoarding. Its intensely vivid colors, thanks to synthetic dyes, and sugary sweetness made it a favorite among kids. However, the abundance of sugar and artificial ingredients would make it a dental nightmare today. Unrolling the gum was half the fun, and blowing giant bubbles was a competitive sport during recess. Despite its questionable nutritional value, Hubba Bubba remains a nostalgic memory, reminding us of carefree childhood days when candy was all about fun and flavor.

5. Fizzies Drink Tablets

Fizzies Drink Tablets transformed ordinary water into a fizzy soda-like drink, much like a bubbly science experiment. These tablets came in a variety of synthetic flavors, offering a fun, albeit chemically enhanced, beverage option. Sweetened with saccharin and bursting with artificial colors, Fizzies encapsulated the ’70s penchant for convenience and novelty. The act of watching them dissolve was half the joy, as kids eagerly anticipated the brightly colored concoction. While they provided entertainment in a glass, today’s health-conscious parents would likely balk at the ingredient list.

6. Hostess Pudding Pies

Hostess Pudding Pies were a sweet indulgence, offering convenience and a creamy filling in a shelf-stable format. These pies didn’t require refrigeration, which was as much a selling point as a concern. The promise of pudding inside a flaky crust was tantalizing, yet the preservatives and sweeteners used to maintain freshness for extended periods would be frowned upon today. Nevertheless, these pies were a lunchtime favorite, combining convenience with the decadent allure of creamy chocolate or vanilla fillings. They remain a nostalgic nod to the grab-and-go era of snacks.

7. Chocolate Cigarettes

Chocolate Cigarettes were a controversial treat, mimicking real cigarettes with paper-wrapped candy sticks. They offered children a chance to play-act adult behaviors, albeit with a sweet chocolate payoff. Though the candy itself was harmless, the concept of encouraging kids to mimic smoking would raise eyebrows today. These candies reflected a time when the lines between playful imitation and inappropriate behavior were blurred. Despite their questionable premise, chocolate cigarettes were a popular novelty item, remembered fondly by those who savored their sweet rebellion against adult norms.

8. Tang Drink Mix

Tang Drink Mix was the iconic orange beverage that promised a taste of space travel. Known for its neon brightness and tangy sweet flavor, Tang was a beloved drink mix among astronaut enthusiasts. Made with sugar, citric acid, and artificial colors, it was easy to prepare and hard to resist. Though hailed as a source of Vitamin C, the artificial ingredients and high sugar content would face scrutiny today. Tang’s legacy endures as a symbol of the space race era, bringing a taste of cosmic adventures to kitchens everywhere, one glass at a time.

9. Jell-O Gelatin Salads with Marshmallows and Meat

Jell-O Gelatin Salads with Marshmallows and Meat were the epitome of ’70s culinary creativity—or confusion. These aspic-style salads combined gelatin with unconventional ingredients like mayonnaise, marshmallows, or even hot dogs. The result was a dish that was as visually striking as it was puzzling to the palate. Though it showcased the era’s experimental spirit, the mix of sweet and savory elements would seem bizarre to modern tastes. Nostalgic for some and baffling to others, these salads remain a quirky relic of a time when culinary boundaries were fearlessly pushed.

10. Dunkaroos (early formulation)

Early Dunkaroos introduced a whimsical snack experience, combining crunchy cookies with vividly colored frosting. Though reminiscent of a fun dessert, the high sugar content and lack of nutritional value made it a questionable choice for health-conscious parents. The ease of dipping and the thrill of choosing your frosting-to-cookie ratio were highlights of this snack. Despite its nutritional shortcomings, Dunkaroos captured the playful essence of the ’70s snack scene, offering a sweet escape in every bite. The allure of colorful frosting remains a nostalgic memory for many who grew up during this adventurous snacking era.

11. Lick-A-Stick Candy (Fun Dip)

Lick-A-Stick Candy, later known as Fun Dip, was a sugary delight that encouraged playful snacking. Kids reveled in licking the candy stick and dipping it into pouches of flavored powder, creating a sweet symphony of synthetic flavors. While fun and engaging, the pure sugar composition of the powder and the artificial coloring would be concerning today. This treat exemplified the era’s indulgent approach to candy, where the joy of eating often overshadowed health considerations. A sugar rush in a packet, Lick-A-Stick remains an enduring memory of carefree childhood days.

12. Planters Cheez Balls

Planters Cheez Balls were the quintessential ’70s snack, offering a burst of cheesy flavor in every airy puff. The neon orange hue was a telltale sign of synthetic dyes, while the long shelf life hinted at preservatives galore. Despite their lack of real cheese, these snacks were an irresistible crunchy treat. The iconic can, filled to the brim, was a staple at parties and gatherings. In today’s world of artisanal and health-conscious snacks, Cheez Balls might struggle to find approval. Yet, they remain a beloved part of snack history, cherished for their bold taste and nostalgic appeal.

13. Vienna Sausages in a Can

Vienna Sausages in a Can were a convenient meat snack, offering soft, salty bites without the need for refrigeration. Packed with sodium and preservatives, these sausages epitomized the trade-off between convenience and health. Their soft texture and savory flavor made them a popular choice for quick meals or camping trips. In today’s market, such high-sodium, shelf-stable meats would face increased scrutiny from health experts. However, they remain a nostalgic food item, remembered for their role in quick and easy 1970s dining, embodying the era’s preference for practicality over nutritional value.

14. Lunchables (proto-versions)

Before Lunchables became a ’90s lunchbox staple, their early versions offered a similar mix of meats, cheeses, and crackers. These proto-Lunchables were high in sodium and featured meat products with questionable textures, raising concerns about nutritional content. Despite these drawbacks, they provided a convenient meal option that appealed to busy parents and hungry kids alike. Today, the focus on natural ingredients and reduced sodium might make these early versions less appealing, but they paved the way for the ready-to-eat lunch kits that many remember fondly. A testament to the evolution of convenient snacking.

15. Hi-C in Metal Cans

Hi-C fruit drinks in metal cans were a sugary staple of the ’70s, offering bright, fruity flavors in a portable format. The sharp-edged cans added a unique element of caution to the drinking experience, while the high sugar content and artificial flavors delivered a sweet, tangy punch. Before juice boxes became the norm, these metal cans were a common sight at picnics and school lunches. Although the drink’s nutritional profile would be questioned today, Hi-C remains a nostalgic favorite for its bold flavors and distinctive packaging, capturing the spirit of fun and convenience.

16. Fruit Brute & Franken Berry Cereals

Monster-themed cereals like Fruit Brute and Franken Berry brought a playful fright to breakfast tables with their bright colors and whimsical mascots. Laden with sugar and artificial dyes like Red 40, these cereals offered a sweet start to the day. Health concerns led to their temporary removal from shelves, but their legacy endures as icons of indulgent childhood breakfasts. The colorful boxes and monster themes made them appealing to kids, while the sugary crunch satisfied morning cravings. Though they might not pass today’s nutritional tests, their playful charm and sugary allure remain fond memories from the cereal aisle.

17. Bubble Yum (Original Formula)

Bubble Yum’s original formula introduced one of the first soft gums, sparking rumors and myths about its ingredients. The gum was rumored to contain spider eggs, adding an element of urban legend to its allure. In reality, Bubble Yum was packed with synthetic softeners and artificial flavors, making it a chewy, sugary favorite. The ability to blow giant bubbles was a hallmark of its appeal, turning any moment into a playful adventure. Despite the myths, Bubble Yum remains a nostalgic reminder of carefree days and the simple joy of bubble-blowing contests on the playground.

18. PB&J in a Jar (Goober Grape)

Goober Grape combined peanut butter and jelly in a single jar, offering a convenient swirl of flavors for sandwich lovers. While the concept was fun and playful, the added sugars, preservatives, and emulsifiers made it a less-than-ideal choice by today’s standards. The colorful layers were visually appealing, and the ease of spreading made snack time a breeze. Despite its nutritional drawbacks, Goober Grape represented the ‘70s trend of convenience and novelty in food. For many, it remains a nostalgic favorite, evoking memories of quick-and-easy sandwich-making at home.

19. Snack Pack Chocolate Pudding (Metal Cans)

Snack Pack Chocolate Pudding in metal cans was a creamy delight that required no refrigeration, making it a convenient treat. The sharp pull-tops of the cans added an element of caution, while the pudding inside was smooth and sweet. Packed with sugar and preservatives to maintain its shelf life, this pudding would undergo modern scrutiny for its ingredient list. Nevertheless, Snack Pack Pudding is remembered fondly as a nostalgic snack, offering a taste of chocolatey indulgence at home or on the go. The metal cans have since been replaced, but the memories remain sweet.

20. Sugary Cereal with Prize Toys Inside

Sugary cereals like Cap’n Crunch and Lucky Charms were not only beloved for their sweet flavors but also for the prize toys hidden inside. These cereals were packed with sugar, offering a morning sugar rush that kids relished. The inclusion of plastic toys, stickers, or temporary tattoos added an element of surprise and excitement to breakfast time. However, the nutritional value of these cereals would raise concerns today, with a focus on reduced sugar and healthier options. Despite this, the joy of finding a hidden toy remains a cherished childhood memory for those who grew up with these breakfast staples.