Tyson Looney Tunes Meals

In 1990, Tyson Foods launched a line of Tyson Looney Tunes Meals. They were based on cartoon characters licensed from Warner Brothers[1][2] and marketed aggressively toward children.[3] The meals were taken off the market in late 1993, because of declining sales due to the Early 1990s recession.[4]

History

The packages featured Looney Tunes characters on the front, and contained trading cards and stickers.[5] They came in a divided tray with a main course, a side dish, and a dessert.[6] The dinners were to be heated in the microwave oven for two minutes, rotated, heated for another one or two minutes, then allowed to stand for an additional two to three minutes, for a total prep time of five to seven minutes.[4]

Similar products introduced by other companies about the same time for children aged 2 to 10 included Hormel "Kid's Kitchen," ConAgra Banquet brand "Kid Cuisine," and "My Own Meals."[7]

The meals were introduced with a fifteen million dollar advertising campaign,[3] but there were concerns about the nutritional value of the meals and they were criticized for excess fat and salt.[8][9] During the economic recession, sales began to decline and, in 1993, the meals were taken off the market.[10]

Varieties
  • Bugs Bunny Chicken Chunks – Chicken Chunks, Macaroni & Cheese (later Applesauce) & Carrots[11]
  • Bugs Bunny & Tasmanian Devil Pasta – Beef Ravioli in Tomato Sauce
  • Daffy Duck Spaghetti and Meatballs – Spaghetti & Meatballs in Tomato Sauce, Corn & Oatmeal Cookies[12]
  • Daffy Duck & Elmer Fudd Pasta – Pasta in Pizza Sauce with Pepperoni
  • Elmer Fudd Turkey and Dressing – Turkey Breast with Dressing & Gravy, Green Beans & Fudge Cookies[13]
  • Foghorn Leghorn Pepperoni Pizza – Pepperoni Pizza, Corn & Fudge Brownie
  • Foghorn Leghorn & Henery Hawk Pasta – Pasta in Spaghetti Sauce with Meat
  • Henery Hawk Hot Dog – Hot Dog, Tater Chunks & Corn
  • Porky Pig Patty Deluxe – Patty Deluxe Sandwich with Cheese, Tater Chunks & Cherry Cobbler[13]
  • Road Runner Chicken Sandwich – Chicken Sandwich, Potato Wedges (later Tater Chunks) & Applesauce[14]
  • Road Runner & Wile E. Coyote Pasta – Pasta in Pizza Sauce with Italian Sausage
  • Speedy Gonzales Beef Enchiladas – Beef Enchiladas in Enchilada Sauce, Spanish Rice & Corn[15]
  • Sylvester Fish Sticks – Fish Sticks, Tater Chunks (later Mashed Potatoes) & Green Beans[11]
  • Sylvester & Tweety Pasta – Pasta in Cheesy Pizza Sauce
  • Tweety Macaroni & Cheese – Macaroni & Cheese, Green Beans & Applesauce[11]
  • Wile E. Coyote Hamburger Pizza – Hamburger Pizza, Green Beans & Oatmeal Cookies[12]
  • Yosemite Sam BBQ Glazed Chicken – BBQ Glazed Chicken, Mashed Potatoes & Corn Nuggets (later Corn)

References
  1. Yasuda, Gene, Companies See Cold Cash in Courting Young Taste Buds, Los Angeles Times, San Diego County Edition, July 17, 1990, Business section, Part D, page 2A. Retrieved February 15, 2011
  2. Grodner, Terri, How nutritious are TV dinners for tots?, Environmental Nutrition, October 1, 1990. Retrieved February 15, 2011
  3. Selling America's kids: Commercial pressures on kids of the 90's. Licensing and cross-selling, Consumers Union. Archived January 18, 2000, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
  4. Tipton, Tom, KIDS IN THE KITCHEN : Time-Saving Meals Children Can Make : Trends: Frozen dinners are being marketed to young children in busy households, Los Angeles Times, June 28, 1990. Retrieved February 15, 2011
  5. Blonz, Edward R., Ph.D., Kids' TV meals require scrutiny, The Baltimore Sun, September 25, 1991, page 1C. Archived September 11, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
  6. Petkofsky, Andy, Zap-a-meal, Richmond Times-Dispatch, July 18, 1990, page 27. Retrieved February 15, 2011
  7. Webb, Densie, Eating well, The New York Times, February 14, 1990. Retrieved February 15, 2011
  8. Sagon, Carol, Frozen far for the crayon crowd, St. Louis Post Dispatch, March 2, 1992. Retrieved February 15, 2011 Archived October 24, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  9. Youngsters often have gap between mind and mouth, The Associated Press, published in The Tuscaloosa News, January 27, 1993. Retrieved February 15, 2011
  10. Dyslin, John Kids meal meltdown – demand for kid's frozen meals drops, Prepared Foods, October, 1993. Retrieved February 15, 2011 Archived April 18, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  11. Stoneback, Diane and Kraft, Irene, Miniature Meals Packaged Dinners For Children Feed Growing Hunger For Convenience, The Morning Call, McCalls Magazine, April 17, 1991. Retrieved February 15, 2011
  12. Schantz, Donna M., Beep Beep! Here come microwave meals for kids, Richmond Times-Dispatch, July 19, 1990, page E1. Retrieved February 15, 2011
  13. Tennison, Patricia, A taste test of Looney Tunes, other kids meals Chicago Tribune, March 14, 1991. Retrieved February 15, 2011.
  14. New foods have kid appeal The Associated Press, published in The Tuscaloosa News, May 9, 1990. Retrieved February 15, 2011
  15. Adweek, 1990, Volume 31, Issues 10-18, page 61.
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