This Legendary Cola is Going Away Forever

Tabaholics, I'm sorry... After 57 years on store shelves, Coca-Cola is pulling the plug on the oldest diet cola in soda pop history. The Wall Street Journal reports the classic pop will soon vanish forever.

According to the article, a rep from Coca-Cola says the company is looking to free up shelf space for new, future products. In fact, Coca-Cola is actually slashing its 500 brands by about half, so Tab won't be the only thing to go. While this largely a response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it's not necessarily fair to say 'COVID killed Tab.' Tab was responsible for only 0.1% out of the 22 billion dollars diet cola raked in last year (2019). Tab was first introduced in 1963 nearly twenty years before Diet Coke was created in mid-1982. What separates Tab from other diet colas is Tab is sweetened with an ingredient called saccharine that has been described by some as bitter and less sweet.

When I was a kid, it was ALL about Diet Coke or Diet Pepsi. Though I can remember seeing Tab on store shelves, I can honestly say I have never had it. I can easily identify that bright, red with white lettering can, but what dwells inside remains a mystery to me. If you're a fan, I'm sorry for your loss BUT, there are a plethora of other tasty diet options available.

Coca-Cola is also cutting

As old fashioned feeling as that late 70's ad is, I think this one from the '80s feels even older.... Tab's got sass?! Love it!