Didn’t know TaB was still available? Well, it won’t be after the end of this year.

Coca-Cola has announced the retirement of its first sugar-free soda, TaB. Developed in 1962, the soda was especially popular during the late '70s and early '80s for people looking for a lower-calorie soda. TaB, which stands for “tasty aerated beverage," remained popular until 1982, when Coca-Cola introduced Diet Coke.

The company announced it will be removing TaB along with ZICO Coconut Water, Coca-Cola Life, and Diet Coke Feisty Cherry in an effort to streamline its product offerings.

TaB’s pink can was designed to target women, but the soda also appealed to people dieting or looking for low sugar soda options. In the 1985 film Back to the Future, Marty McFly visits a 1950s diner and asks for a TaB. Since TaB was not invented yet, the waiter replies, “Can’t get you a tab until you order something." Marty says he just wants something without sugar in it. He ends up with black coffee.

soda in glass

Photo by Polina Tankilevitch from Pexels

In the 1970s, the fledgling diet soda ran into a little controversy over its main ingredient, saccharin. A scientific study showed the sugar substitute caused bladder cancer and Coca-Cola was forced to put a warning on the cans. TaB continued to sell despite the cancer warning, and in 1984, saccharin was swapped out for Nutrasweet. TaB popularity fell when Coca-Cola introduced Diet Coke in 1982, but some stalwart fans still remained.

“We’re forever grateful to TaB for paving the way for the diets and lights category, and to the legion of TaB lovers who have embraced the brand for nearly six decades,” said Kerri Kopp, group director, Diet Coke, Coca-Cola North America. “If not for TaB, we wouldn’t have Diet Coke or Coke Zero Sugar. TaB did its job. In order to continue to innovate and give consumers the choices they want today, we have to make decisions like this one as part of our portfolio rationalization work.”

Diet Coke is now the No. 1 sugar-free soda in the U.S. Soda manufacturers were already in the midst of changing product lines before the pandemic due to changing consumer demand. Supply chain issues and aluminum shortages due to the pandemic have accelerated that pace. Coca-Cola is planning on replacing older soda products with sparkling waters, seltzers, and energy drinks.

What do you think? Are you a fan of TaB? Will you miss it? Tell us in the comments!