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The Strangest Packaged Foods Of All Time

Posted: 02/17/2012 9:45 am

2012-02-07-5porkbrainsflickr_afiler.jpg
Ironic as it sounds, there can be an immense feeling of relief that comes along with eating a bag of peanut M&Ms washed down with an ice cold Coca-Cola on a humid summer day in rural China. Take it from a weary world traveler, the availability of certain packaged foods like Oreos and Pringles across the globe provides the satisfying comfort of a familiar taste (Photo Credit: Flickr/aflier). 

Slideshow: The Strangest Packaged Foods of All Time

It's one of modern civilization's greatest conveniences, and yet at the same time, one of the major advantages of this globalized market is the sheer number choices. To please any kind of palate, a multitude of bizarre packaged foods and beverages exist for those who are willing to look hard enough and be experimental in their tastes. From pickle-flavored popsicles to buffalo wing soda, there are American companies that are urging consumers to take their taste buds for a walk on the wild side.

Slideshow: Reviewing Taco Bell's New Cantina Bell Menu

Although precise production and distribution networks ensure that a vast majority of our favorite packaged foods, whether Cheerios or Oscar Mayer wieners, are available in supermarkets from sea to shining sea, what do you do if the same old Hostess CupCakes you've been eating since grade school become boring? The same old Skippy peanut butter or the identical Wrigley's Spearmint gum can lose its sheen, and you may find yourself on an insatiable quest for variety and new flavors in your packaged goods.

Slideshow: Celebrities' Backstage Food Demands

Luckily, there are a number of bizarre packaged foods and beverages out there for those who are willing to look hard enough and be experimental in their tastes. Ever heard of pork brains smothered in milk gravy? (You might've not guessed, but this delicacy is quite high in cholesterol!). Or how about bacon-flavored mints or even canned alligator meat? Click through to find out about these products and others that made this list of the strangest packaged foods of all time.

- Ryan Glasspiegel, The Daily Meal

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Perky Jerky
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Ever find yourself on a long drive, stopping at a gas station to pick up a cup of coffee and unable to walk past the large selection of beef jerky without picking up a Slim Jim? Now, the two are combined with Perky Jerky, a beef jerky with the flavor and texture that we know and love, but that also includes guarana, a berry commonly found in energy drinks.

Buy Perky Jerky online here.

More on The Daily Meal: Reviewing Taco Bell's 'FirstMeal' Breakfast Menu

Photo Credit: © Perky Jerky
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Ironic as it sounds, there can be an immense feeling of relief that comes along with eating a bag of peanut M&Ms washed down with an ice cold Coca-Cola on a humid summer day in rural China. Take it...
Ironic as it sounds, there can be an immense feeling of relief that comes along with eating a bag of peanut M&Ms washed down with an ice cold Coca-Cola on a humid summer day in rural China. Take it...
 
 
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sossity
All politics is loco
07:09 AM on 02/27/2012
Thats goooooooooooood eat'n, pardner!
04:48 PM on 02/26/2012
My father once had a can of Armour Pork Brains in Milk Gravy, I almost puked after reading the can.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
jchowell3657
The Constitution's purpose is to limit government
03:26 PM on 02/26/2012
The trouble with the roast beef flavored gum is that it then turns into blueberry pie, then you turn into a blueberry. It always goes wrong with the dessert. They all turn into blueberries.
03:11 PM on 02/26/2012
Were do you get this stuff the snake, gator, bacon mints,roastbeff gum, j&j critters, pickle pops,burger in a can
02:48 PM on 02/26/2012
I cant remember what soda brand it was but they had Turkey and dressing soda drinks out a few years ago. And if you can ever get a look at a Think Geek catalog you'll find some nasty sounding novelty items in it.

I guess gross sells are up....sorry that was to easy.
03:44 PM on 02/26/2012
Jones Soda does a line of weird sodas...they did the Turkey and gravy
bbh907
the past is the past,don't look back
02:10 PM on 02/26/2012
It's not food,but I've seen bacon flavored lip gloss.
caloy2x
Desert Storm Vet
02:10 PM on 02/26/2012
It's not too bad until you try New Orleans' Andoulle, the giant farm rat andoulle that is!
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askskia
Applaud the people that make you think.
01:31 PM on 02/26/2012
I went on the site where I discovered that along with roast beef gumballs there are also Thanksgiving flavored gumballs! Turkey, cranberry and pumpkin pie! Can't wait to try it! (and yes they are sweet)

BTW The site it directs you to is for wholesale. You have to follow another link to get to individual sales! Worth it since they also have cup cake flavored and cinema flavors too!
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01:23 PM on 02/26/2012
amimal. haha. i guess i'm a REAL veggie.
01:23 PM on 02/26/2012
The Aligator in a can isn't too crazy. Here in Florida we eat Gator Tail. It's fried. The texture and flavor are nearly identical to if you were to take cube steak and batter and fry it. However gator tail is slightly richer.
01:02 PM on 02/26/2012
I've bought the Canfield's chocolate soda and it's fantastic! They've also got a chocolate cherry that's very good, too. Both come in diet. It's difficult to find but worth the search especially when you want chocolate but are watching your weight or sugar.
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askskia
Applaud the people that make you think.
01:33 PM on 02/26/2012
Wish we had that here! Also, wish I could get ahold of some more coffee soda! It was the best thing I ever had and if I would have known I'd never see it again I would have bought way more than 24 cans!
12:57 PM on 02/26/2012
Why is perky jerky even on this list? Other than it being really good, its not all that weird. Oh wait, it must be because there is no sodium nitrate in it. No dangerous chemical additives. That IS weird!
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rikoshaprl
12:43 PM on 02/26/2012
I don't think the government should let our children chew meat flavored gum, even if their parents think it is okay.
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12:58 PM on 02/26/2012
These are the ingredients for the roast beef gumballs.
INGREDIENTS: Sugar, Corn Syrup, Gum Base, Citric Acid, Articial Roast Beef Flavoring, Soy
Lecithin, Gum Arabic, Glycerine, Carnauba Wax, FD&C Yellow 5, FD&C Blue 1, FD&C Red 40,
B.H.T.
People eat way worse than this.
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rikoshaprl
03:54 PM on 02/26/2012
Tongue in cheek
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01:00 PM on 02/26/2012
i don't think the government cares about this and it has no say anyway, unless the FDA finds it injurious. i personally find this gum to be a disgusting thought. but i have no say in it either. and i should not have a say in it.
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Gary H Mayer
12:37 PM on 02/26/2012
They are probably high in sodium and low in sugar. So, if one has low blood pressure and high blood sugar, the gums, in particular, would make a good 'chew.'
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12:31 PM on 02/26/2012
I would not even touch this. Sounds awful... Bet it won't sell... Who would eat it?