A longtime grocery store staple is nearing its final days.
The Coca-Cola Company has announced it will discontinue its entire line of Minute Maid frozen juice concentrates, ending a product legacy that dates back to the mid-1940s. The decision marks the end of an era for shoppers who have relied on the freezer-aisle classic for recipes, family traditions, and budget-friendly beverages.
According to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), Minute Maid frozen orange juice and lemonade concentrates will be removed from store shelves beginning in April. The discontinuation affects both U.S. and Canadian markets. Coca-Cola also confirmed that Fruitopia Fruit Punch and Five Alive juice blend will be phased out as part of the change.
The company cited declining consumer demand as the reason behind the move, noting that customer interest in frozen juice concentrates has waned in recent years.
Minute Maid’s origins trace back to World War II. In 1945, Florida Foods Corporation partnered with the U.S. federal government to produce powdered orange juice for American troops overseas. When the war ended before the product could be delivered, the company pivoted, eventually developing frozen juice concentrate for consumers.
Renamed Vacuum Foods Corporation, the company began shipping frozen concentrates nationwide in 1946. A major boost came in 1948 with a radio advertisement featuring entertainer Bing Crosby. By the 1960s, the brand officially became Minute Maid and was later acquired by The Coca-Cola Company.
Over the decades, Minute Maid expanded its frozen lineup to include flavors such as Pink Lemonade, Limeade, and Country Style Orange Juice, becoming a fixture in home kitchens and holiday recipes.
News of the discontinuation has sparked nostalgia online. One Reddit user called the decision “the end of an era,” while others shared memories of using the concentrates for slushies, pies, punches, and quick single servings of juice. Some praised the product for its affordability and reduced waste compared to ready-to-drink juices.
Coca-Cola has not specified an exact end date for availability, and consumers say remaining stock may disappear quickly as longtime fans stock up.
