When it comes to fuelling up for the day many of us enjoy a bowl of cereal. And there is often one variety which becomes a regular staple so when it disappears from the shelves it can be a blow.
Over the years there have been dozens of varieties and flavours of the morning staple which have been axed. This has been on both health grounds as some were deemed too sugary or simply because not enough people were buying them.
We’ve taken a trip down memory lane to look at which once-popular offerings are no more. Here are 12 of the most popular:
Ricicles
These were the sugary version of Rice Krispies which was always the box which disappeared first from the Kellogg’s variety pack. However they were first dumped from the variety packs in 2009 then in 2017 Kellogg’s announced it was discontinuing the product as part of a drive to cut sugar in children’s cereals.
Force
This was one of the first wheat-based breakfast cereal brands. While it was first manufactured in 1901 in the USA it came to the UK in 1902 as its first ready-to-eat breakfast cereal where found its market in the UK winning massive popularity, epeically during the 1930s.
The wheat flakes remained on sale at Sainsbury’s and Waitrose until December 2012 when manufacturers Nestlé and General Mills, said demand for the product was too low and that it no longer made economic sense to make it.
Sugar Puffs
Sugar Puffs were originally introduced in 1957 to the delight of children everywhere. They were puffed wheat packed with honey-flavour in a sugary coating and marketed by the Honey Monster which was introduced in 1976 along with the slogan: “Tell them about the honey, mummy!”
While that was a marketing hit another venture failed to hit the mark with many football fans. As a result of Honey Monster appearing in a Sugar Puffs advert, wearing the kit of Newcastle United F.C., sales of Sugar Puffs fell by 20% in the north-east of England, as fans of Newcastle’s traditional rivals, Sunderland A.F.C., boycotted the brand.
Its end came when the firm looked at bringing down sugar levels in children’s cereal it saw the recipe changed to include with less sugar and fortified with vitamins and iron. But it also saw the demise of the Sugar Puff brand with it renamed Honey Monster Puffs.
Start
This hit the shelves in the 80s and was an instant hit. The wheat, corn and oat bicycle-wheel shapes were promoted as improving sporting performance making them a choice for many adults. It was discontinued in 2018 – a move which saw petitions calling for its return but to date they have been unsuccessful.
Crunchy Nut and Caramel Bites
This tasty cereal was described as crunchy baked mixed cereal with peanut and caramel. Fans again learned the news it had been axed on social media. Posting in September this year Kellogg’s told people on x “We’re sorry, but this product has been discontinued. Your feedback will be shared with the relevant team.”
Banana Bubbles
These were grains of rice infused with banana flavour which turned the milk into what tasted like a banana-flavoured milkshake. Although they were popular with some they had a short shelf-run. They launched in 1994 but were axed just two years later as manufacturer Kellogg’sd said it wanted to make way for new products.
Corn Pops
This Kellogg’s sweetend corn cereal was launched in 1993 with the slogan: “You can’t stop a corn popper popping more corn” quickly finding a following in the UK. It gained even more attention when it sponsored Take That’s 1993 Pops tour.
The flakes were hailed as “crispy, glazed, crunchy sweet going down well with fans. However They were discontinued in the UK in 2004. Luckily they are still available for anyone desperate to get their hands on them as they can be imported from the US.
Fruit Loops
This was a sweetened, fruit-flavoured breakfast cereal made by Kellogg’s. It was launched in the USA in 1963 as a mixture of red, orange and yellow loops. Green, blue and purple loops were added in the early 1990s followed by blue in 1996. While the colours were different, they all had the same fruit flavour.
It made its appearance in the UK in 2012 but was different to the US version. European rules and the amount of sugar which can be sold meant the two taste completely different and it disappeared from UK shelves in September 2015. Since then Kellogg’s has released limited editions of Froot Loops, including Unicorn Froot Loops, Mermaid Froot Loops, and Baby Shark Froot Loops.
All Bran Golden Crunch
This crunchy wheat bran and mixed cereals pieces had a caramel flavour and came as a sweeter alternative to its Original All Bran, which remains in stock. Kellogg’s confirmed in July this year the cereal was being discontinued. While it still appears on many supermarket websites it is out of stock.
Kellogg’s Banana Frosted Flakes
These were a version of Kellogg’s Frosties which according to an ad when the cereal was introduced delivered “real bits of banana and great banana taste in every bite”. On the back of one box, Tony The Tiger is quoted as saying, “My new Kellogg’s Banana Frosted Flakes have real appeal!”
However they didn’t have a long-appeal. They lasted three years from their 1981 launch being scrapped in 1984.
Nestle Golden Grahams
Golden Grahams were whole grain rectangular shaped cereals pieces which were marketed as being a good source of fibre. They were launched in 1976 and hit their peak of popularity in the 1980s and 90s. They were initially discontinued in the early 2,000s but then got a reprieve in 2010 when they returned to the shelves. However declining sales saw them axed in 2021 with the firm confirming it had no plans to reintroduce them as recently as September this year.
Coco Pops Rocks
These chocolates boulders of cereal pieces were especally popular with children. They were discontinued in July 2024 with the news confirmed on X, formerly Twitter in July this year. Unhappy fans called for their return including Lyds who urged them: “Please bring them back, I’m begging.”