50 Food and Drinks That Have Had Some Real Recipe Changes

One of the worst things about getting older that no one ever really talks about is that the way certain foods taste starts to change. Sometimes it’s your tastebuds maturing, and sometimes it’s because things just seemed to taste better when you were a kid.

Hershey’s chocolate (Cocoa Butter)

Back in the 2000s, Hershey’s made a huge change to their recipe. While they tried to be subtle about it, there was one huge difference.

To make production cheaper, Hershey’s replaced cocoa butter with vegetable oil. As you can probably guess, cocoa butter is a key ingredient in milk chocolate.

In fact, everyone was so angry that the FDA had to assure the public, saying that cacao fat would still be a primary ingredient.

Nutella (instead of whey powder, skimmed milk powder)

The core ingredients – hazelnuts, cocoa, sugar, and palm oil – are still the same. However, a “fine tuning” back in 2017 left hardcore Nutella fans outraged. 

This change was made to improve the consistency and milk content. While Nutella can still go on just about anything, its lighter color still has people suspicious.

The Hamburg Consumer Protection Center noted that the color change was indicative of a more extreme recipe change. Many people found the recipe change to be unforgivable.

Doritos (Recipe tweaks over time)

Doritos have made multiple tweaks to their formula over the years, though you probably won’t catch Frito Lay, Doritos’ parent company, making any statements.

Doritos are now made of larger and thinner chips with much more seasoning. People enjoy this variation nevertheless – after all, Doritos are a classic!

This is because of a phenomenon called “shrinkflation,” which allows companies to make less of their product while maintaining the regular price.

Rice Krispies (Changes in recipe leading to taste alteration)

In 2018, the biggest change to the Rice Krispie treats recipe was made in South Africa. To save money, Kelloggs switched to a new multi-grain formula.

After only two years, the original Rice Krispie treats were back. People were happy to see them, but the change came with a price – literally.

Luckily for South African customers, they’re not the only Rice Krispie treat option out there. Rice Krispie Vanilla wasn’t discontinued, even after the pushback.

Toblerone (packaging and origin changes)

Invented in early 20th century Switzerland, Toblerone’s Swiss origin has been a big point of pride for the company. The packaging even showcased the Matterhorn.

In 2022, Toblerone’s parent company, Mondelez International, announced that part of the candy’s production would be moved to Slovakia, starting in July 2023.

Toblerone can no longer claim to be “made in Switzerland.” The packaging now reads, “established in Switzerland 1908.” Much of their production is still in Switzerland.

SunnyD(Reformulated with less sugar)

Remember SunnyD? This orange drink, which was first invented in the 1960s, was all the rage – before it turned a girl in Wales yellow.

SunnyD, for those who don’t know, is an orange drink that’s all corn syrup and water, aside from the 2% that’s actually concentrated fruit juice.

This sent the company into a downward spiral, which they set out to combat in 2009 with a reformulated drink. It contained 70% fruit juice.

KFC Original Recipe (Alleged changes over time)

We want to give an honorable mention to KFC, because over the years, they have seriously worked on perfecting their chicken.

However, a 2010 review blasted the company for doing away with the original batter recipe, exclaiming, “What happened? Who changed the recipe? And why?”

No evidence suggests that the Colonel took the batter recipe to the grave. Their issue is also marked as resolved, so it’s probably fine.

Wheat Thins (Change in texture and taste)

Original Wheat Thins has had its recipe tweaked since 2009. In an effort to make their snacks healthier they removed the high fructose corn syrup.

There’s been some changes to the texture too. Original Wheat Thins are harder, with a much more crunchier feel than they used to have.

While they’ve done away with the high fructose corn syrup, their sugar content is still pretty high, at four grams per serving.

Guinness (Filtration changes)

For a long time, Guinness’s original recipe called for isinglass, which is a substance that is taken from fish bladders and used to filter the beer. 

While this may seem like a shock, it’s actually pretty common. Prior to the change, Guinness used isinglass for over 200 years, much like other companies.

The key ingredients – roasted barley, malted barley, hops, yeast, and water – have thankfully remained the same. Now vegetarians and vegans can also enjoy Guinness Draught.

Sunkist (The Caffeine issue)

Orange sodas (and most fruity sodas) usually don’t contain caffeine. While that’s not as high as a cup of instant coffee, it’s higher than a can of Coca Cola. 

Since then, Sunkist has lowered their sodas’ caffeine levels to 19 mg. However, it should be noted that this applies to most of their sodas, including the diet.

Contrary to their U.S. counterparts, the Australian version of Sunkist is caffeine-free. Canada also offers a caffeine-free version, though it’s not the only one available.

Little Debbie snack cakes (Size changes)

Little Debbie snack cakes – like Oatmeal Cream Pies, Cosmic Brownies, and Christmas Tree Cakes – are beloved for their simplicity and sweetness.

People have taken to forums and Amazon reviews to rant about the dramatic decrease in size of various Little Debbie cakes, like the Oatmeal Pies and cookies.

Still, it’s the same incredible dessert every time. Most people love Little Debbie cakes, and maintain a tradition of eating their Christmas tree cakes around the holidays.

Gatorade (Formula changes, removal of some ingredients)

Ever heard of BVO (brominated vegetable oil)? Until 2013, it was used in Gatorade to enhance the citrusy flavors, and is a flammable substance.

It wasn’t always available in the U.S., either. In fact, BVO was banned by the FDA until 1977, when it was approved in small amounts.

When teenager Sarah Kavanagh heard about this in 2012, she was furious. After her Change.org petition accrued over 200,000 signatures, PepsiCo changed the formula, removing BVO.

Diet Pepsi (Sweetener changes)

Unlike some of the other companies on this list, PepsiCo has actually been pretty straightforward about their recipe changes and reformulations.

Pepsi Zero Sugar was also updated in the U.S. More sweeteners were also added to this soda, with the intention of giving it a fuller, smoother taste.

While Pepsi seems to think that their new formula tastes just as good as the original, many customers were angry about the lack of real sugar.

Cheez-It (Alterations in cheese sourcing)

Where does that amazing, iconic cheese come from? It’s in fact all natural, 100% real cheddar cheese, made with skim milk.

Since Cheez-Its’ inception over a century ago, their production has changed. Once baked in an Ohio neighborhood, Cheez-Its are eaten by the billions.

You’ll be happy to know that the packaging and the shape of the crackers have remained more or less the same for over 90 years or so.

Milky Way bar (Altered chocolate and nougat)

First created in the 1920s, the Milky Way was advertised as having a strong malt flavor, which was popular in milkshakes at the time.

In the 1930s, the Forever Yours Bar was invented. It was coated with dark chocolate, and filled with caramel and a fluffy vanilla-flavored nougat.

While the Forever Yours bar was eventually taken off the shelves in the 1970s, a version of it became the official Milky Way bar in 1989.

Sprite (Reformulation with stevia in some markets)

In 2013, Sprite included stevia, a natural sweetener, in the UK version’s formula, to reduce sugar levels. They got rid of it, though, opting for different sweeteners.

This isn’t the case with other places, however. France and Ireland still use the stevia recipe. It’s all according to the preferences of the specific market.

It is not used in the US, however. So, Sprite in the US probably contains more calories, just like in the UK.

Powerade (Electrolytes)

Powerade is a popular sports drink that is always refreshing after a long sweat, but why? It’s mostly due to the high electrolyte content.

Not only that, but they also went ahead and added Vitamin C and B12. This is something that their longtime rival has never included in their drinks.

By putting renewed effort into Powerade and their newly-acquired brand, Body Armor, Coca-Cola might just topple Gatorade. Yes, Coca-Cola is their parent company.

Tang (Changes in recipe for new versions)

Tang is a liquid flavoring that comes in powdered or liquid form. It’s particularly known for its citrus flavors, and for being used by astronauts!

Like other brands, Tang wanted to sell a sweet product with less sugar. In 2007, Tang replaced half of its original sugar content with artificial sweeteners.

It also contains vitamin c and calcium. While it’s not as popular in the US, it flies off the shelves in South America, particularly Argentina and Brazil. 

Cap’n Crunch (Recipe and nutrition changes)

The original Cap’n Crunch cereal was launched in 1963. At the time, the sweetened, yellow, square-shaped cereal was a simple combo of oats and corn.

There haven’t been any drastic changes made to the original recipe, but a ton of new variations have come along since then. Seriously, they seem endless.

Of course, that’s not all that Cap’n Crunch has to offer. Their Oops! All Berries “cereal,” which only contains berries, was released in the late 90s.

Pizza Hut’s Pizza (Change in cheese)

They decided however in 2019 to go to a part-skim mozzarella cheese which still offers the same incredible taste to their pan pizza.

Pizza Hut is an iconic chain that has gone worldwide over the years. In 2019, however, they decided to change their cheese recipe and sauce blend.

In an effort to keep up with their competitors, like Domino’s and Papa John’s, Pizza Hut reinvented their pans, making the crust crispier than ever before. 

Meatball Subs From Subway

It’s not exactly shocking for a fast food place to switch up their recipes for certain items, but that doesn’t make it any better.

User Arch27 said, “I lived on a steady diet of meatball subs at Subway in the late 1990s. They changed it completely by ~2001. It’s unrecognizable.”

User Channelten added, “That is the reason I stopped going to Subway back in the day…Then after not going for awhile I…got a meatball sub, and couldn’t even finish it.”

Cadbury Chocolate In The United Kingdom

Many have noticed that Cadbury chocolate has changed in the last few years. User do_you_smoke_paul said the chocolate was altered for the worse.

He added, “They’ve changed it to the super sugary American choc which is far inferior in my opinion. I much preferred the high butter content…” 

In 2015, Cadbury made some changes to their chocolate recipe and their company. Since then, loyal fans have been up in arms about the noticeable difference.

Chips Ahoy

Chips Ahoy used to be the gold standard for store-bought chocolate chip cookies, but many now agree that they just aren’t the same.

User Plankyz said, “I’m not sure if it’s because I’m older now. I remembered as a kid they used to taste so good and cookie-like.

Now it just tastes like a rock of sugar with chocolate in it.” There’s an entire Reddit thread devoted to complaining about the change in these cookies.

Ritz Crackers

Remember how buttery, yet crunchy, Ritz Crackers used to be? If you have them now, you might notice that they seem to crumble faster.

User DarthContinent said, “For some inexplicable reason, maybe around five years ago, the crackers went from being nice and firm and dippable to nowadays easily crumbling”

User stratosplay chimed in to confirm, saying, “This is a byproduct of lowering the moisture count in the crackers…Source: I was a Cracker Baker.”

Tim Horton’s Menu

According to some Redditors, Tim Horton’s has taken a turn for the worse. User Ofvlad said, “The coffee is terrible…[and] all the pastries are clearly not freshly made.”

This isn’t just a Reddit thread. According to The Guardian, in 2018, the company went from 13th place to 67th place in a study of Canada’s most reputable companies.

They also noted that the downfall could have something to do with the fact that Restaurant Brands International took over the company.

Turkey Hill Peanut Butter Ice Cream

Sometimes just one product changes. For example, user sponge-worthy- said that the food they noticed the most change in was “Turkey Hill Peanut butter ice cream.

The best ice cream in the world until they started putting in less peanut butter chunks…thinking we wouldn’t notice. Oh…we noticed!”

You can definitely tell when a brand starts skimping on something, especially if you’re a diehard fan. It’s sad to see some of the classics change.

Campbell’s Clam Chowder

If you used to love Campbell’s Clam Chowder, maybe you’ll agree on this popular opinion. Many are on the train for the recipe-change with this one…

User ScoobyDont06 said, “It used to be thick and have plenty of clams, a decade or so ago they changed it to be watery and have more potatoes.”

This isn’t the only soup Campbell’s has changed. In 2015, they made a big change to their famous Chicken Noodle Soup, changing the broth and the ingredients.

Macaroni And Cheese From Boston Market

User optimisticdaringme said, “Boston Market mac and cheese used to be awesome, but I think they changed their recipe for the cheese sauce a few years ago…”

User flowergirl926 added, “I just had some…for the first time in about a year and it was definitely different. Different noodles and the cheese was… thinner?”

Maybe that’s one of the reasons why Boston Market hasn’t been doing as well. According to Mashed, the once-popular brand has been in major decline.

Pringles

User millenniumxl-200 said, “I don’t know what changed, but they don’t taste nearly the same.” User VoteRonaldRayGun explained, “They opened up new manufacturing in Malaysia…”

The new ones no longer contain MSG and they changed to palm oil. Now they taste disgusting and…they made the containers/serving size smaller.”

In fact, in 2016, Buzzfeed wrote a whole article about how Pringles are different (and much worse). Everyone seems to agree that Pringles aren’t what they once were.

McDonald’s Apple Pie

One of the only dessert recipes McDonald’s has kept as a constant is the apple pie… but it’s also changed, and everyone has noticed.

It started back in the ’90s, when they changed the cooking method from deep-fried to baked in an effort to be healthier.

Then, in 2018, they changed the recipe to be healthier yet again, using different apples, adding a cinnamon flavor, and switching up the crust.

Gardetto’s Original Snack Mix

Gardetto’s Original Snack Mix was once a wonderful mix of crackers and pretzels. But now, as user OHIO_MAN_ says, “WHERE ARE THE SESAME BREADSTICKS?”

User steralite added, “As someone who used to eat a ton of Gardettos but stopped… 5-6 years ago, I am disheartened to learn they’ve removed these.

What’s the point? The 100% rye bags are gross too because it’s too much of a good thing.” It’s true, those sesame breadsticks really did make a difference.

Butterfingers

A lot of users also agreed that Butterfingers are no longer irresistible. User zzmmrmn said, “Finished my lunch at work and felt like having a Butterfinger.

[Noticed] the packaging has a different shade of yellow and then I see the ‘new recipe’ banner on it… Made the terrible decision to get it anyways and boy did it make me sad.”

Butterfingers did make a big change to their recipe in 2018, after they were bought by Ferrero. They said they mainly changed the chocolate shell coating.

French Fries From McDonald’s

McDonald’s is known for having some of the best fast food French fries out there, but they aren’t without their criticism.

User slytherinqueen186 said, “I remember when they tasted like potatoes and were so delicious. Now they’re so processed, they taste terrible and I can’t even digest them.”

In 1990, they stopped cooking their fries in beef tallow and started using vegetable oil. According to Eat This Not That, this might not even be healthier.

Quaker Instant Oatmeal

User 1YearWonder said, “One day the packaging all changed to emphasize how healthy it is… lo and behold, it’s now a tasteless gruel no matter how you make it.

I didn’t get the instant oatmeal because it was amazingly healthy for me, I got it because it was quick, easy, filling, and tasty.”

After two decades of brand loyalty, they decided to give it up, claiming there’s “no point in paying for [Quaker Oats] now.” That’s how you know it’s serious.

Watermelon

How can they change the recipe for a fresh fruit? Well, they can’t, but they can change the way it’s grown and add chemicals.

User sunshinenrain said, “All grocery store watermelons are genetically modified to be seedless and flavorless. I want real watermelon back and easily accessible without having to grow my own…”

Many other people agree that taking out the seeds isn’t worth it, claiming that is sacrifices flavor. NPR even wrote a whole story about it.

Skittles

A lot of Reddit users felt that Skittles were ruined when one flavor was changed, and passionately expressed their disappointment online.

User all4hurricanes summed it up, saying, “Whomever decided sour apple was a better flavor than lime for green skittles needs to be fired.”

Apparently, people really, really loved the lime Skittles, and hate the new green apple ones. Turns out that having the same color just isn’t enough.

Hostess Twinkies

Twinkies used to be a symbol of deliciously unhealthy food, but now it’s just… unhealthy.

User almightywhacko said, “‘Good’ is relative, but Hostess changed the recipe for Twinkies after that stunt where they ‘discontinued’ them for a couple of months.

Now they are smaller, more oily, and less flavorful.” According to Today, they definitely came back slightly different, and not in a good way.

Snapple

The day Snapple started putting their drinks in bottles was a sad day for the world, according to user Teamsavageboi.

Many people echoed this sentiment on Reddit and, honestly, it really was an end of an era of ice tea. Drinking out of a glass just felt better.

Thankfully this cost cut didn’t take away the fun fact that appears under every cap, which was the ice breaker you relied on throughout adolescence.

Sour Patch Kids

Nothing can compete with the original line up of Sour Patch Kids, Lime (green), Lemon (yellow), Orange (Orange), and Raspberry (red).

While many would dub the addition of blue raspberry as their favorite, others call the new, special flavors (like Sour Patch Kids Tropical and Sour Patch Xploderz) disgusting.

The user, not_mrsrobinson, also feels the recipe has changed, claiming they’re all “thick and hard where the old ones were really nice and soft and chewy.”

Taco Bell’s Grilled Stuft Burrito

The new recipe for Taco Bell’s Grilled Stuft Burrito is a real disappointment, so much so, Reddit users are sharing ways to replicates the original recipe.

“GSB minus guacamole, minus sour cream, minus avocado ranch add spicy ranch. It actually works and I do it this way now,” the user llcucf80 noted. 

Hopefully, now you feel less alone craving the Baja sauce and Mexican seasoned rice!

Tomatoes

According to The Guardian, a team of scientists has been cracking down on this conundrum. In their research, they analyzed “100 tomato varieties and sequencing the genomes of nearly 400 varieties.”

“The flavour got lost because people didn’t know what the molecular and genetic bases were, so they couldn’t apply them,” Antonio Granell, a professor at the Spanish National Research Council explained.

“What we’ve discovered,” he continued, “is that they basically lost these volatile compounds that we’ve identified in this study.”

Olive Garden breadsticks

Nobody ever said Olive Garden is the pinnacle of fine dining, but the one thing you could count on was the breadsticks.

This isn’t completely breaking news, in 2014 The New Yorker wrote a piece revealing the company’s investors thought “the breadsticks taste similar to hot dog buns.”

Unfortunately this wasn’t the only commentary. User freaknotthink calls out the breadsticks for being “way too salty!” While livelikethelotus says, “They are never soft when I go.”

Twix

What changed exactly about the Twix bar? The wafer? The amount of caramel? Whatever it is, the effect is just not quite the same. It tastes…cheaper.

A Twix spokesperson confirmed your taste buds are correct, intended to have a “more satisfying crunch in its biscuit, alongside the chewy, creamy caramel.”

User ShayMonMe definitely isn’t happy about this. “More often than not the cookie part is stale and just crumbles in your mouth unpleasantly…” they wrote.

Oreo

While the brand maintains they haven’t changed the recipe, a writer for the New York Post dug up some dirt on Oreos, which supposedly taste “flavorless.”

“It’s easy to chalk up…these complaints to outrage over outsourcing of American jobs, but I wasn’t convinced that was the case for all of them…” she said after learning some Oreos are made in Mexico.

User trugbee95 passionately wrote, “That cream used to be like cocaine, now it’s like watered down, sugar cream of a dehydrated coconut. Come the f*ck on Oreo makers.”

Pop-Tarts

We remember our first Pop-Tart like it was yesterday. While they use to give us nostalgic feels from our childhood, one day it just stopped.

We don’t know exactly why, but Redditors have some words. “Kellogg’s seemed to have changed their recipe for Pop-Tarts… because the thick pastries they used to have are no more.

Now when you open up your bag you’re met with two flaky pastries…and a handful of crumbs gathered at the bottom,” rozzy shared.

Yoplait

Yes, the flavor really has changed drastically. By cutting the sugar by 25 percent, they accidentally reduced the taste and texture entirely.

Lots of people complained but they just said they did it because “it was the right thing to do” and to not expect it to be changed back.”

“It was all done because of social pressure…wanting to eat sugary yogurt should not be something the internet has a say in. Diet yogurt…already exists,” a user added.

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

Some people claim Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups use to be even better. While this is hard to believe, because they are fantastic, some have sharper pallets than others.

A Redditor remembers the better days saying, “When I was a kid, Reese’s peanut butter cups were much better.

The texture [of the PB] was more like that of actual nut butter, not a PB-flavored filling that just dissolves in your mouth. The cups were slightly larger as well.”

Hammond’s Vanilla Caramels

“Every day during work I used to go to my local grocery store to pick up a hot lunch. They started stocking these suckers at the checkout counter, so I tried them once and…game over.

Then one day they tasted different. I looked all over for info about the recipe having been changed, but the only evidence was my tongue…

I stopped buying them, and I must not have been the only one to notice, because a few months later the store stopped carrying them altogether,” the user continued.

Coke Zero

It would be a lie to say this change in taste doesn’t hurt. Anytime a classic flavor gets an updated recipe, it is rarely for the better.

This change isn’t necessarily bad news, because they’re aiming to shrink containers. I mean, at least it’s not what happened with the “New Coke.“

“It tastes like a Pepsi Zero knock off to me now. The old Coke Zero was so much better,” slider728 writes on Reddit.

Looking At These Classics

A lot of people hold long time grudges over some of their favorites. When you mess with what’s good, their will be consequences!

These classics all were changed but still get so much love, because the changes made ultimately were for the better! So don’t be so quick to judge.