This Popular Millennial Product Is Being Discontinued

It's a moment we never thought we'd see coming. Fruit Stripe Gum is being discontinued. The flavor of the gum may only be around for a short time, but the company's popularity lasted a long time.

Ferrara Candy announced Fruit Strip will be discontinued. Now, this may be surprising for a number of reasons.

First, it may be surprising because it was so good! They had the popular Zebra mascot. The gum was insanely flavorful (for the limited time it lasted before turning into hard nothingness in your mouth). So, you might be surprised that it's being discontinued.

Alternatively, you might be surprised for a different reason. You might be surprised because you thought it was discontinued years ago. Well, it wasn't. However, now it will be. You're too late!

According to FoodAndWine.com, a Ferrara Candy representative said in a statement, "We have made the difficult decision to sunset Fruit Stripe Gum, but consumers may still be able to find the product at select retailers nationwide."

The company says they considered many factors before ultimately choosing to discontinue the once popular product. It will be missed by many, mostly older millennials.

Fruit Stripe Gum was invented in the late 1960s and was first manufactured and sold by the Beech-Nut Confection Division, according to FoodAndWine.com.

What about their popular zebra mascot? Don't worry about Yipes. He'll be just fine. I imagine he's living his dream running around on a beautiful flavorful rainbow with all his other retired mascot friends.

I always loved the taste of their gum. Any flavor, it didn't matter. However, was it just me or did the flavor only last a minute? As soon as you're starting to enjoy it, boom, it's gone. Like they say, it's better to have loved and lost than to never love at all. It's better to have really good flavor for only a minute, than no flavor at all. Now, that's what we're left with.

RIP Fruit Stripe Gum.

Halloween is the time of year when spookiness takes center stage, and creative costumes rule the streets. It’s also the day of the beloved tradition, trick-or-treating. Whether you're a kid dreaming of a candy jackpot or an adult admiring the neighborhood's costume creativity while handing out treats, it's a highlight of the year.

However, you'll always find that one neighbor who likes to shake things up by handing out something other than candy. It's not always a bad thing, though. Some people do it for a good reason, like considering kids with dietary restrictions. But if you're considering going outside the box, you should avoid certain trick-or-treat handouts.

Let's talk about the Halloween horrors, the stuff no one wants in their trick-or-treat bag. First on the list are those infamous toothbrushes or dental floss packs. Halloween is the one night a year when kids can indulge in a sugar frenzy, and suddenly, you're handed a dental hygiene product. It's like being told to eat your veggies at a birthday party. Then there are the homemade treats. While some homemade goodies can be delicious, receiving unlabeled, homemade treats can make even the bravest trick-or-treater think twice; also, most parent's won't feel comfortable with that and may dispose of them. All of your hard work will go to waste! Safety is paramount on Halloween, and unwrapped or unlabeled edibles can raise concerns.

Another item to avoid is pennies. They're not even worth the trip to the store, and they make you question if you've accidentally stumbled into a time machine back to the 1950s. If you’re going to give out money on Halloween, make it worthwhile if you can swing it. While Halloween is all about surprises, pennies are definitely not the kind of surprises anyone hopes for.

Take a look at some of the worst trick-or-treat handouts for Halloween.

Keychains are handy, but they're not exactly the kind of treasure kids hope to find in their candy haul. They want stuff that's sweet, not stuff for keys they don't have. Save yourself some money and pass on key chains.

We all know cleanliness is important, but getting soap, shampoo, or hand sanitizer in your treat bag on Halloween is not what kids look forward to. It's a treat, not a trip to the pharmacy. It's like getting socks for Christmas. While practical, it's not exactly exciting.

Coins may have been an acceptable treat decades ago, but nowadays, they're seen as disappointing. Kids prefer candy. Or maybe small toys (if they're exciting/cool enough). Unless, you're giving away the big bucks, steer clear of this one.

Healthy snacks are great, but Halloween is all about the sugar rush. Kids aren't exactly thrilled to find a mix of fruit and nuts in their bag. They're hoping for chocolates and gummies, not something they associate with after-school snacks.

Adults may appreciate coupons for discounts at local businesses, but they don't make for a fun Halloween treat for kids. Saving money is cool, but Halloween is all about instant gratification. And coupons for discounts don't really make the cut.

Halloween is not the time to distribute religious or informational materials. Kids are looking for fun and treats, not pamphlets. Consider giving those away another day that's not Halloween.

Halloween is all about the candy, right? So, if you toss a toothbrush or dental floss into a kid's stash of treats, you're basically inviting disappointment. Plus, it's safe to assume that the trick-or-treater already has a toothbrush. Do they truly need another one?

Throwing unwrapped candy into a plastic pumpkin? That's just asking for a sticky mess. Plus, it's not the cleanest option. And given the concerns these days, it's just another worry for parents who fear someone might mess with their child's candy.

Those fancy homemade snacks that look like they came straight from Pinterest can be cute, but if you don't really know the kids or their parents, they might wonder about your intentions. Sticking to pre-packaged treats is your best bet on Halloween, especially if you're trying to keep trick-or-treating simple and sanitary.

Were you a fan of Fruit Stripe Gum? What was your favorite flavor? Let us know in the comments!