Alka Seltzer

“Plop, plop, fizz, fizz, oh what a relief it is!” Do you remember the jingle that was first introduced in Alka-Seltzer commercials in 1975? It was meant to evoke the sound of two Alka-Seltzer tablets dissolving in water, which became a popular and memorable part of the brand’s advertising.

I was surprised to learn that the “plop, plop” part of the jingle was actually created in 1953, but it wasn’t until 1975, with the help of little mascot Speedy, that the jingle became widely known and associated with the brand. Initially named Sparky, Speedy was introduced in 1951 to align with the “Speedy Relief” campaign.

I noticed quite a while ago that Alka Seltzer is no longer billed as relieving acid indigestion. The package says it’s taken for fast relief for headache, backache, body aches and muscle pain, but there is no mention of heartburn or an upset stomach.

Although Alka-Seltzer was marketed as an antacid, it contained aspirin, which can cause stomach bleeding, and I read that it no longer contains aspirin. However, I have a box of Original Flavor Alka Seltzer in my possession with an expiration date of June 2027, and it has aspirin listed in its ingredients.