ayds diet candy commercial

Ayds was an appetite-suppressant diet candy introduced around 1940 in the United States. It came in flavors such as chocolate, chocolate mint, butterscotch, caramel, and later peanut butter. The candy was marketed as a weight-loss aid with an active ingredient originally benzocaine (to reduce the sense of taste) and later phenylpropanolamine, which helped curb appetite without stimulant effects. The product was advertised through various commercials in the 1980s, promoting it as an effective way to eat less and lose weight while enjoying the candy's taste. However, due to the unfortunate phonetic similarity of the name "Ayds" to the disease AIDS, which caused significant weight loss and was highly publicized during the 1980s, the brand faced notoriety and confusion. Despite attempts to rebrand the product as "Diet Ayds" or "Aydslim," sales declined, and the association with the disease overshadowed the candy's original purpose. Several commercials from the early 1980s, including those from 1982, featured slogans like "You're eating less... Thanks to the Ayds plan!" and highlighted the candy's appetite-suppressant properties without stimulants that would cause nervousness. The product promised to help people lose weight safely and enjoyably by controlling appetite.