In the U.S., one seasoning is practically synonymous with seafood: Old Bay. It’s been sprinkling its way over shrimp boils, crab dips, chowders, french fries, and even cocktails for eight decades—and eventually, the taste of the Maryland coast has ended up in spice cabinets across the country. Even the iconic yellow, blue, and red square tin is just as recognizable as its smoky-sweet flavor.
And throughout its 80-year history, Old Bay has remained almost completely unchanged. The formula is the same, the look is the same, and its retro charm has survived generations of food trends. But there was one small shift: the shaker itself. A few years ago, the seasoning underwent a packaging change that had a much bigger impact than Old Bay’s parent company, McCormick, expected.
Now, after years of customer complaints, Old Bay is officially coming back in its authentic, original form.
Old Bay
Old Bay Brings Back Its Metal Tins
It turns out Old Bay fans don’t just love the flavor—they love the nostalgia, too.
So when Old Bay switched to plastic packaging in 2017, fans were not happy. McCormick cited environmental considerations behind the decision, and on the surface, the change didn’t seem all that dramatic—the size, label, and overall look stayed the same. But, apparently, the brand seriously underestimated just how beloved those retro tins really were.
Complaints started rolling in immediately, with customers begging for the metal tins to return—even going so far as to create online petitions.
“I am 100% not on board with this,” one Redditor wrote. “I feel like we’ve been betrayed and deprived future generations of the sturdy construction of a well-designed spice container.”
And it wasn’t just the emotional attachment—fans didn’t think the plastic packaging worked as well. Lids kept popping off and spilling seasoning everywhere. “Seriously, I’ve had to bust out the vacuum twice this past week because the lids come off so easily on these things,” one customer shared. Some skipped the frustration entirely and refilled their old tins to avoid the flimsy design.
Finally, after seven years, McCormick has decided to put Old Bay—including all five flavor varieties—back in its signature, old-school container. “Plastic’s Out. Tin Is In,” the brand announced on Instagram.
And fans are thrilled. “FINALLY,” one wrote. “Omg this is major,” another added.
“OLD BAY is more than a seasoning. It’s a symbol of heritage, flavor, and Baltimore pride,” explained Giovanna DiLegge, Vice President of Marketing at McCormick & Company in a press release. “The return to tin is our way of honoring generations of fans who’ve made OLD BAY a staple for decades. From crab feasts with family and friends to much more, OLD BAY has long been the flavor that brings people together.”
Now, Old Bay is back in the form fans have known and loved for generations—just in time for the holidays. And many are calling that “a Christmas miracle.”
Bring on the Feast of the Seven Fishes.
