Minute Maid Ends 80-Year Run of Frozen Juice Concentrate
Minute Maid is officially ending an 80-year run by discontinuing its frozen orange juice concentrate in the U.S. and Canada. This decision by Coca-Cola Company marks a significant shift in consumer preferences, prompting the company to exit the frozen can category.
Coca-Cola’s Strategic Shift
A spokesperson for Coca-Cola stated, “We are discontinuing our frozen products and exiting the frozen can category in response to shifting consumer preferences.” The spokesperson emphasized that the company aims to focus on products that align better with current consumer demands.
Timeline for Discontinuation
Minute Maid’s frozen juice concentrate will be phased out in the first quarter of 2026. However, consumers can still find the products in stores until supplies last, making this a final opportunity to purchase these nostalgic items.
- Discontinuation Date: Q1 2026
- Availability: While supplies last in stores
A Nostalgic Farewell
The end of this beloved product has elicited a wave of emotions on social media. Users shared their sadness over losing a piece of Americana that has been a staple in many households.
- One Instagram user exclaimed, “NOOOOOO! This is my literal childhood.”
- Another lamented the impact on their margarita recipes.
- Others noted that despite the rise of trendy drinks, frozen concentrate offered a cost-effective and nutritious option.
The History of Frozen Juice Concentrate
The innovation of frozen juice concentrate dates back to the 1940s. C. D. Atkins, Edwin Moore, and Louis MacDowell developed a method that enhanced flavor while reducing shipping costs and improving shelf stability. In 1946, the then-Vacuum Foods Corporation introduced the first frozen concentrated orange juice product in the U.S. under the Minute Maid brand.
Since then, Minute Maid has become synonymous with frozen juice concentrate. Now, as the product begins its final chapter, consumers are encouraged to reconnect with their past before it fades into memory.
