There’s a distinct taste and texture that Oscar Mayer Turkey Bologna brings to your sandwich, a combination hard to find elsewhere. However, you may have noticed that your usual shopping list is missing an item – Oscar Mayer Turkey Bologna. Yes, there is indeed a shortage, and this blog will delve into the whys and hows of this unexpected scarcity.
Oscar Mayer turkey bologna holds a special place in the hearts of many who grew up eating this classic lunchmeat. With its mild turkey flavor and nostalgic packaging, Oscar Mayer turkey bologna was a staple in school lunchboxes for decades. But in recent years, this iconic product seems to have vanished from store shelves, leaving fans wondering—what happened to Oscar Mayer turkey bologna?
As a longtime fan of Oscar Mayer turkey bologna myself, I was determined to get to the bottom of the mystery behind its disappearance. After some digging, here’s what I uncovered about the fate of this beloved lunchbox staple.
The Discontinuation of Oscar Mayer Turkey Bologna
After reaching out to Kraft Heinz, the parent company of Oscar Mayer, it was confirmed that they did in fact discontinue their turkey bologna product around 2016.
A Kraft Heinz spokesperson stated “As part of Oscar Mayer’s ongoing process of evaluating products and streamlining our portfolio, we made the difficult decision to discontinue turkey bologna in 2016.”
So in a business move by Kraft Heinz, Oscar Mayer’s iconic turkey bologna was intentionally removed from store shelves in 2016 after being a lunchmeat staple for generations of kids and adults alike.
Why Was It Discontinued?
According to Kraft Heinz the decision to discontinue Oscar Mayer turkey bologna came down to decreased consumer demand.
Over time, lunchmeat preferences shifted away from bologna and towards meats like turkey chicken and ham. Oscar Mayer likely found turkey bologna was no longer selling well enough to warrant continued production.
Increased competition and pressure to streamline business operations also contributed to Oscar Mayer’s choice to cut turkey bologna.
The Company History Behind the Decision
To understand this decision, it helps to look at Oscar Mayer’s changing company ownership over the years:
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Founded in 1883 in Chicago, Oscar Mayer was family-owned for 100+ years.
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In 1981, it was acquired by General Foods.
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In 1989, Philip Morris (now Altria) bought General Foods, taking ownership of Oscar Mayer.
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In 2015, the Kraft-Heinz merger formed the current parent company.
With all these ownership changes, Oscar Mayer shifted from a family company to more corporate-driven decision making. Discontinuing a nostalgic product like turkey bologna despite customer outcry aligns with that bottom line-focused mentality.
How Consumers Reacted
Judging by comments on social media and conversations with fellow fans, many consumers were quite upset by the loss of their beloved Oscar Mayer turkey bologna.
On social channels, fans made their disappointment clear: “Why did you discontinue the turkey bologna? I grew up on that!” and “Bring back the turkey bologna!” were common refrains.
In real life, former turkey bologna lovers I spoke with also expressed frustration that this staple had disappeared without warning.
Where to Find It Today
The good news is some brands still offer turkey bologna, including Hillshire Farm, Maple Leaf, and Wellshire Farms. It can often be found in the packaged meat section at grocery stores.
Specialty food retailers also carry turkey bologna online. So with some searching, it’s still possible to get your hands on this classic lunchmeat.
Will Oscar Mayer Bring It Back?
Among loyal fans, there’s always hope Oscar Mayer could bring back turkey bologna if demand is reinvigorated.
But when I asked Kraft Heinz about potential plans to reintroduce it, they responded: “There are currently no plans to bring back the discontinued turkey bologna product.”
Unless Oscar Mayer sees a huge resurgence in consumer demand, a comeback seems unlikely at this point.
Recreating the Flavor
While we may not get the exact product back, recipes online can mimic that Oscar Mayer flavor. Using minced turkey, spices, and curing salt to create a firm yet sliceable loaf mimics the Oscar Mayer style.
Grilled turkey bologna sandwiches also capture the nostalgic lunchbox feel. And similar products from brands like Hillshire Farm offer the closest taste to the original.
The Future of Turkey Bologna
Discontinuing a classic like Oscar Mayer turkey bologna was undoubtedly disappointing for fans. But disappearing foods often come back around again.
Hopefully turkey bologna will see a consumer resurgence and return to grocery store shelves. For now, devotees will have to seek it out from other brands and find creative ways to recreate the flavors they remember.
The Bottom Line
Oscar Mayer’s decision to discontinue turkey bologna in 2016 was driven by shifting consumer preferences and a more bottom line-focused approach after the brand changed hands multiple times.
How to Find Oscar Mayer Turkey Bologna During the Shortage
Despite the scarcity, there are still ways to find Oscar Mayer Turkey Bologna. Some retailers may have reserved stocks, so it’s worth checking with local stores.
Online grocery platforms might have limited availability too. Also, consider reaching out to Oscar Mayer directly for information on where their products are available.
Impact of Oscar Mayer Turkey Bologna Shortage on Consumers and Retailers
The Oscar Mayer turkey bologna shortage has consequences for both consumers and retailers. For consumers, the shortage means that they may not be able to find their favorite sandwich meat at their local grocery store. This can be frustrating, especially for those who rely on turkey bologna as a healthier alternative to other processed meats.
Retailers are also affected by the Oscar Mayer turkey bologna shortage, as they struggle to keep their shelves stocked with this popular item. This can lead to lost sales and unhappy customers, which is never a good thing for any business. Additionally, the shortage may force retailers to rely on other brands or even increase the price of turkey bologna to compensate for the limited supply.
Oscar Mayer Turkey Bologna | Pog Squad | Food Review
FAQ
Does anyone make turkey bologna?
Delicious Oscar Mayer Turkey Bologna slices are the ideal sandwich meat for kids and parents alike. Fully cooked, our Oscar Mayer Turkey Bologna lunch meat is ready to eat and comes in a 16-ounce resealable package to ensure freshness.
What happened to Oscar Mayer’s turkey bacon?
Kraft Heinz Food Co. has recalled more than 2 million pounds of Oscar Mayer turkey bacon over concerns it may spoil before the “Best When Used By” date, according to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. The manufacturer was alerted to a possible issue by customers who complained about spoilage.
Who makes turkey bologna?
JENNIE-O® Turkey Bologna, 2 pc • Hormel Product Code: #119362 • Hormel Foodservice.
What happened to Oscar Mayer Deli Creations?
The company discontinued this amazing product due to lack of interest. I am trying to show that there is enough support to bring back a limited run. Kraft should do this both for customer loyalty and to see if the market has changed (in their mind) enough to support this product.
What is Oscar Mayer Jalapeno Bologna?
Oscar Mayer Jalapeno Bologna is a longtime family favorite made with quality meat and great taste, with a little spice from Jalapeños! It is fully cooked and for best quality, purchase and use by the date shown. Once opened, use within 7 days.
How long does Oscar Mayer bologna last after opening?
Oscar Mayer bologna is good for three to four weeks after opening, if stored properly in the fridge. After that time, it will start to dry out and lose its flavor.
Did Oscar Mayer ham & cheese get a recall?
Confirmed via a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announcement, the company issued a recall for roughly 2,400 pounds of Oscar Mayer Ham & Cheese Loaf, specifically the products sold in 16-ounce vacuum-sealed packages.