Canned Chicken, Luncheon Meats Decline, Yet Persist

Mid-20th-century convenience foods such as canned whole chicken and processed luncheon meats became staples but have largely faded as health concerns, changing tastes, and greater fresh‑meat availability shifted consumer preferences. Fast‑food chains have repeatedly trialed new items — some, like McDonald’s Filet‑O‑Fish and Burger King’s Whaler, were created for specific customers or occasions — though many offerings flop. Plant‑based “fake meat” surged into the mainstream in the late 2010s when companies improved taste and texture, but that boom has since softened as demand declined and some producers retrenched. Despite declines and nutritionists’ calls to choose less‑processed options, deli and processed meats still account for a large share of U.S. processed‑meat sales.