Conagra Brands has ended production of Celeste frozen pizzas, bringing the long-running brand’s U.S. retail availability to an end once existing inventory is sold, the company said.
A Conagra spokesperson confirmed the production halt to Fox Business. Shoppers may still find Celeste products in stores while retailers sell remaining stock, but the company does not plan to make more.
Conagra disclosed the decision during remarks about its fiscal first quarter on Sept. 30. The company said the exit reduced net sales by about 15 basis points in the quarter and is expected to improve margins going forward.
Chief Executive John Brase described Celeste as one of the smaller brands Conagra no longer considers worth continued investment. He said the company is also looking to simplify its broader product lineup, which includes more than 400 single-serve meal stock-keeping units.
The news prompted social media users to recall having the pizzas as children or sharing them with family. Celeste is associated with Celeste “Mama” Lizio, who developed a food business in the Chicago area before selling it to Quaker Oats in 1969, according to a 1988 Los Angeles Times obituary.
