Ayds was an appetite-suppressant candy diet aid introduced around 1940 in the United States. It was marketed under the "Ayds Reducing Plan" and originally contained benzocaine and later phenylpropanolamine as active ingredients to suppress appetite. Available in flavors such as chocolate, chocolate mint, butterscotch, caramel, and later peanut butter, the candy was promoted as a way to help users lose weight by eating less. Ayds commercials, particularly in the early 1980s, emphasized the candy's appetite-suppressing qualities and the idea that users could lose weight safely and effectively without stimulants that cause nervousness. One such commercial from 1982 featured the slogan "You're eating less... Thanks to the Ayds plan!" and portrayed the candy as making dieting easier and more enjoyable. However, by the mid-1980s, the brand encountered difficulties because of the phonetic similarity of its name to the disease AIDS, which caused significant stigma and decline in sales. The company attempted rebranding efforts like "Aydslim" and "Diet Ayds" to overcome this negative association. The advertising campaigns often included testimonials and claims that Ayds could help reduce appetite, control weight, and maintain weight loss with flavors that users could enjoy while dieting. Commercials were widely broadcast on local TV channels, especially in Chicago, and promoted the candy as a reliable diet aid.
