If you've never heard the legend of Colgate Lasagna, no need to fret. We didn't realize how deep down the rabbit hole we'd have to go in order to learn about this beefy treat. We slowly began pulling back layer after layer, wading through cheese, meat, and lies until we finally reached the truth.
The confusing, disgusting, and intriguing concept originally went viral back in 2017 when The Museum of Failure was opened in Sweden by curator and founder, Samuel West.
The museum's purpose is to educate visitors about the failures of innovation, and how we can learn and grow from those failures. Enter Colgate. Rumor has it that in the '80s, Colgate had become such a household name that they wanted to expand into the frozen food market. The idea being they'd sell the food you eat to make your teeth dirty, as well as the toothpaste to brush them with after.
Long story short, the product failed and Colgate forgot about the entire thing. Until Samuel West came along.
Fast-forward to 2017. When word got out that there was a Colgate Beef Lasagna display at the museum, the company had a shit-fit. According to Prospect Magazine, a sign next to the display in the museum included a statement from Colgate reading, "When international press wrote about the Museum of Failure, a legal representative called and sternly informed us that the company ‘has no recollection of a Colgate Lasagna.’ Either Colgate has a bad memory, or the Museum of Failure got pranked by some branding consultant who started an urban legend years ago.”
Furthermore West would go on to state that the box on display was actually a fake and the reconstruction was based on photos he found online.
However, even if there never was a beef option, a Television Age Magazine profile from 1966 clearly states, "Fried chicken and crabmeat entrees under a Colgate Kitchen label was introduced and quickly withdrawn." Colgate, chicken, and crabmeat. That's the trifecta right there.
As far as Colgate Beef Lasagna-gate goes, it's time we finally put this urban legend to rest.
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