(ADAMS) – Ice cream lovers are saying goodbye to the Choco Taco. The famous packaged ice cream product that came in a taco-shaped cone has been discontinued by Klondike.
The company says it made some tough decisions to ensure availability of its full portfolio nationwide during the pandemic.
The Choco Taco has been around since the early 1980s, starting out in ice cream trucks before being distributed more widely. Fans may still be able to find some Choco Tacos on shelves as retailers sell through the last of their inventory.
In a statement, Klondike said, “We’re always updating our product portfolio to create new, exciting innovations that reflect consumer preferences and trends.
“A necessary but unfortunate part of this process is that we sometimes discontinue products in order to ensure we can offer the best variety nationwide.”
This isn’t exactly a huge surprise for plugged-in Choco Taco enthusiasts.
Earlier this year, Klondike discontinued the four-pack… but at the time, they implied that the single-serving would continue to be available in ice cream trucks and convenience stores. But now, they won’t be making those either.
The Choco Taco was invented in Philadelphia in the early ’80s by a man named Alan Drazen. It was first available in ice cream trucks and convenience stores in 1984, and it debuted in supermarkets in 1996.
It’s very possible this is one of those free publicity things, where a product is discontinued . . . so fans freak out and launch online petitions and stuff . . . and then the company brings it back at some point with a bunch of fanfare.
Also, Reddit founder Alexis Ohanian Tweeted that he’d like to purchase the Choco Taco from Unilever, to “keep it from melting away from future generations’ childhoods.” So, the Choco Taco may not be gone for good.
(Read more from The Takeout)